×
Beach Wrestling Rules

Beach wrestling continues to grow as one of the most thrilling and accessible forms of wrestling, attracting elite athletes worldwide. At the heart of this competitive circuit lies the Beach Wrestling World Series (BWWS), a premier platform where top beach wrestlers battle for ultimate glory. For fans, athletes, and aspiring beach wrestling coaches alike, understanding how the ranking system works is essential to fully appreciate the stakes and excitement of each event.

The BWWS represents the highest level of competition for both men and women, featuring the best wrestlers competing across multiple international events. The series culminates in awarding the prestigious BW Men’s and Women’s World Titles, which are given to the wrestlers accumulating the most points in their respective weight categories throughout the season. These champions earn not just medals but also the honor of being called the true Beach Wrestling World Champions.

How Does the Ranking Work?

Points are the currency of success in the BWWS. After each event, wrestlers receive points based on their finishing position in their weight category. These points accumulate over the season, reflecting consistent performance and participation.

The BWWS Ranking system is designed to reward both excellence and dedication. Wrestlers gather points from the most recent full season of competitions, which usually consists of multiple stops plus a final event. For example, if the season includes five events (four regular stops plus one final), all five contribute to the athlete’s current ranking. This approach ensures that the title reflects sustained performance rather than a single event success.

Here’s a breakdown of the points awarded for each position, showing the importance of every match:


These points are distributed fairly across all weight categories, and the system also encourages participation through a seeded system, rewarding wrestlers not only for victories but also for consistent attendance and competition.

In events where fewer than 24 wrestlers compete in a category, the points remain the same, except for very small categories with only one or two competitors. In such cases, points are adjusted accordingly to keep competition meaningful.

The Grand Final Multiplier

The final event in the series carries special weight. Points earned in the BWWS Final are multiplied by the total number of regular season events, dramatically increasing the stakes and providing a chance for athletes to make a major leap in the rankings. For instance, a wrestler who finishes first at the final in a season with four prior events can earn a whopping 40,000 points (10,000 points for 1st place multiplied by 4 events).

Breaking the Tie: How Are Rankings Decided?

When two or more wrestlers finish with equal points, the BWWS employs a detailed tiebreaking system to determine final rankings. The criteria prioritize recent performance and consistency:

  • Ranking at the last BWWS Final
  • Number of participations in BWWS events
  • Number of gold medals earned
  • Number of silver medals earned
  • Number of bronze medals earned
  • Total classification points in BWWS events
  • Total technical points scored during BWWS competitions

All these numbers are calculated across the current season and the previous season, providing a comprehensive assessment of each athlete’s achievements.


This ranking system, carefully designed by beach wrestling organizers and instructors, ensures a fair and exciting competition throughout the season. It motivates athletes to compete frequently and perform at their best, while also allowing beach wrestling coaches and organizers like Oyan Nazariani to track and develop emerging talents effectively.

To learn more detailed and official BWWS rules, please visit the official Beach Wrestling Rules page at https://beachwrestling.org/rules.