How does the weigh-in work in kurash?
A · Advanced · Referees and the competition · 4 of 4Athletes in a weight category are weighed on the same day, on the same scales, two hours before competing, wearing only shorts or swimming trunks. An athlete who is not weighed cannot compete. Jacket and trousers must be clean and dry, nails cut short and long hair tied up. Breaking the hygiene rules costs the right to take part.
How it works
- When: two hours before the competition, on the same day.
- Same scales: for everyone in the category.
- Length: the weigh-in lasts no more than one hour.
- Dress: shorts or swimming trunks only.
- Identity card: needed at the weigh-in.
- The panel: the chief referee, a deputy, a secretary, a member of the medical staff and two or three referees.
- Not weighed: not admitted to the competition.
- What to bring: an identity card, a standard jacket and uniform, plus a document showing the athlete's class.
- Hygiene: clean, dry clothes with no bad smell, short nails on hands and feet, long hair tied up.
- Coaches: seated in the zone set aside for them during the bout. Only the team representative may address the chief referee.
The glossary has the weight categories, the yakhtak, the chief referee, the age groups, the girrom and the gilam.
Tricky cases
An athlete misses the weigh-in but is known to be under the limit. Can they fight?
No. An athlete who has not been weighed is not admitted to the competition.
An athlete is slightly over the limit. Is there a second attempt?
Not stated. The page says the weigh-in lasts no more than one hour and gives no tolerance and no rule on trying again.
Can an athlete wear a watch, a ring or a hair clip in a bout?
No. Wearing any hard object, covered or not, is listed under girrom.
Can a coach complain to the chief referee during the event?
Only through the team representative, who alone may address the chief referee and the deputies directly.
Why the rule exists
Weighing everyone on the same scales on the same day removes any argument about whose scales were right. The hygiene rules matter in a sport where two people grip each other's clothing and skin: long nails cut, and a dirty jacket spreads infection.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Weigh-in | Same day, two hours before, same scales | IKA Rules 22.1 |
| Dress at the weigh-in | Shorts or swimming trunks | IKA Rules 22.5 |
| Hygiene breach | Loses the right to take part | IKA Rules 17 |
| Hard objects | Girrom | IKA Rules 30.3 |
| Coach who breaks the rules | Dismissed, and the organisation is told | IKA Rules 21.5 |
From the rule book
International Kurash Association, International rules of organization and holding of Kurash competitions (web page, adopted 1998, categories for 2026), sections 17, 21, 22, 25 and 30. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's competition rules (saved as a web page only).