1. Age requirements

  1. Kids: 10–11 years old
  2. Boys and girls:
    • 12–13 years old
    • 14–15 years old
    • 16–17 years old
  3. Juniors: 18-20 years old
  4. Seniors: 20 and older
  5. Veterans:
    • 35–40 years old
    • 41–45 years old
    • 46–50 years old
    • 51–56 years old

2. Weight requirements

  1. Except with the approval of the sanctioning body, the classes for Pankration contests or exhibitions and the weights for each class shall be:
    1. Straw-weight: under 115 pounds + (1.5 pounds weight allowance)
    2. Flyweight: over 115 to 126 pounds + (1.5 pounds weight allowance)
    3. Bantamweight: over 126 to 132 pounds + (3 pounds weight allowance)
    4. Featherweight: over 132 to 145 pounds + (3 pounds weight allowance)
    5. Lightweight: over 145 to 157 pounds + (3 pounds weight allowance)
    6. Welterweight: over 157 to 170 pounds + (3 pounds weight allowance)
    7. Middleweight: over 170 to 185 pounds + (3 pounds weight allowance)
    8. Light Heavyweight: over 185 to 202 pounds + (3 pounds weight allowance)
    9. Heavyweight: over 202 to 220 pounds + (5 pounds weight allowance)
    10. Ultra Heavyweight: over 220 to 265 pounds + (5 pounds weight allowance)
    11. Super Heavyweight: over 265 pounds

3. Skill/experience requirements

  1. Beginner level
    1. Who it's for: New participants learning the basics of grappling and striking.
    2. Allowed techniques: Basic grappling and beginner-contact striking. No advanced submissions or high-risk moves.
    3. Experience needed: 0–3 matches or similar training experience.
    4. Alignment: Matches the "Novice" category in international standards.
  2. Intermediate level
    1. Who it's for: Competitors who understand grappling and striking basics and can perform under full-contact rules.
    2. Allowed Techniques: Intermediate-level striking (for example, combinations) and grappling (for example, submissions). No high-risk takedowns or advanced strikes.
    3. Experience Needed: 3–10 matches or similar experience.
    4. Alignment: Matches "Traditional Pankration" in international standards.
  3. Advanced level
    1. Who it's for: Skilled athletes with technical and tactical experience aiming for higher-level competitions.
    2. Allowed Techniques: Full range of striking and grappling techniques, including controlled high-risk moves.
    3. Experience Needed: 10+ matches or equivalent experience.
    4. Alignment: Matches "Elite Traditional Pankration" in international standards.
  4. Elite/Professional level
    1. Who it's for: Top-level competitors aiming for professional or international recognition.
    2. Allowed techniques: All legal techniques under UWW rules, including advanced striking and grappling.
    3. Experience needed: Proven record in regional, national, or international events.
    4. Alignment: Matches "Elite Pankration" in international standards.
  5. Implementation notes
    1. Verification:
      1. Participants’ levels are verified through match records or coach confirmation.
    2. Clear Rules:
      1. Definitions and expectations are shared with coaches and athletes before events.
    3. Youth and Masters Categories:
      1. Adjustments are made for age groups to ensure safety and fairness.

4. Matching guidelines

  1. Fair Play Rules
    1. Fair play rules for competitions ensure that athletes are matched based on similar skill levels, age groups, and weight divisions. This helps maintain a safe and fair environment by reducing the risk of mismatches that could lead to injury or one-sided competitions.
  2. Under Pankration rules, participants are categorized as follows:
    1. Level (Skill): Competitors are separated by experience or belt rank, ensuring beginners do not compete against advanced athletes.
    2. Age: Athletes are grouped by age brackets for fairness, including categories such as kids, novice, schoolboys/girls, cadets, juniors, adults/seniors, and masters/veterans.
    3. Weight Division: Competitors are divided into weight classes, matching athletes of similar weight to avoid disparities that could affect performance or safety.
    4. These rules promote fairness, skill-based competition, and ensure that each athlete competes in an environment suited to their abilities and physical attributes.