Games wrestlers in the dark

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33434, 16 January 1974, Page 28

Games wrestlers in the dark

Competitors in the Commonwealth Games wrestling tournament will not know their opponents until a few hours before their opening bouts.

The weighing-in of the wrestlers will begin at the Games village on the morning of January 28, followed soon afterwards by the draw. The first round of bouts is scheduled for that evening.

Mr J. A. Mclnnes, the chairman of the wrestling control committee, said yesterday that the amendment to the international rule would apply for the Games. This allows a wrestler to avoid elimination, even though he might have incurred the previous maximum of six penalty points, as long as he kept winning. In the past, competitors who had conceded five points were required to gain falls over each of their subsequent rivals, because a points win carried with it the concession of another penalty point. The alternation in the law means that a wrestler would be eliminated only by a loss or draw in such a situation. The arrival in Christchurch yesterday of the new international mat to be used during the Games was a relief to the administrators. Its receipt ended a wait of several months.

But officials will still have a hectic few days at the Town Hall later this month, Because of other commitments, the wrestling podium and other equipment cannot be installed until the day before the opening session. An even more daunting task will be faced after the wrestling finals on the evening of January 30. The Town Hall auditorium has to be cleared by 7 a.m. the next day, but Mr Mclnnes is confident that this target will be achieved.