Grappling is a wrestling style also called “submission wrestling” or “submission grappling” which consists in controlling the opponent without using striking, in standing position or on the ground after a throw, and to make him or her abandon thanks to immobilisation techniques such as locks. Grappling plays an important role in the practice of Mix Martial Arts (MMA) and can be used as a self-defence technique. It brings together techniques from Brazilian jiu-jitsu, freestyle wrestling, sambo, judo, and many others.

Grappling has been integrated by FILA in 2006 and is managed by the World Grappling Committee whose task is to coordinate and to develop this discipline at the international level. Grappling is one of the most important disciplines of the World and European Wrestling Games organized every year by FILA.

Grappling matches last five minutes and are refereed by a referee and a judge. Grapplers wear shorts and a tight shirt (No-Gi) or kimonos (Gi). The match is interrupted when a grappler who is in a submission situation taps the mat to let know that he or she has been defeated or when the referee considers that he or she will not able to make it without getting hurt and pronounces a « catch ».

Weight categories are split as follows: 

• Men 60kg, 66kg, 74kg, 84kg, 96kg, 120kg, Open 
• Women  55kg, 59kg, 63kg, 67kg, Open 

Great-Britain trials, July 2007         
See the photo gallery