We recently learned that FILA will be adding Pankration to the World Wrestling Games in Turkey this September. The Games will have the World Championships in Sambo and, Grappling. FILA has not fully adopted Pankration so the international governing body in Greece has coordinated the Pankration side of the competition.
The US Team Trials in Sambo took place in early June 2007 and the Team Trials in Grappling (AKA Submission Wrestling) happened late June in Las Vegas. Our National Federation of Pankration is still getting info on the World Championships and has not had time to organize a World Team Trials. USA Wrestling has adopted Grappling and Sambo so those US teams will be funded. Pankration has not been adopted so no funds from USA Wrestling are available for the Pankration Athletes.
The International rules have changed and are somewhat different from the original rules we use in the US, plus they require all competitors to wear the Pankration uniform which consists of TMA style pants and a pull over TMA style top. Uniforms will be available in Turkey.
Nevertheless this is a huge opportunity for Pankration and the US needs to field a team that will succeed. We appointed Cliff Claypool the Head Coach of the Marine Corps Team to coordinate the team selection and travel.
These are the International Weight classes for the Competition and how they compare to the Amateur Pankration League Weights:
66 Kilos (145.2 lbs) equal to the US Fly Weigh & Fin Weight Divisions
71 Kilos (156.2 lbs) equal to US Feather weight Division
77 Kilos (169.4 lbs) equal to US Lightweight & Bantamweight Division
83 Kilos (182.6 lbs) equal to US Welterweight Division
90 Kilos (198 lbs) equal to US Middleweight Division
100 Kilos (220 lbs) equal to US Lt Heavyweight & Heavyweight Division
Over 100 Kilos (220lbs) equal to US Heavyweight Division
If you are a US Citizen with a passport, placed top 3 in any recent Sanctioned Pankration Tournaments and have the funds to travel to Turkey (air fare, lodging etc.) Please contact me ASAP at
jfrank128@cox.net .
If you are interested in competeting in the US the next Tournament will be held Aug 11 in San Diego California.
