By: Macy Dennon

Editor-in-Chief

TW: eating disorders

When I heard about what wrestlers must do to make a certain weight class, I just about permanently distorted my face with confusion and then proceeded to turn red with rage. Not only is the culture in wrestling of hitting a particular weight questionable from an outside perspective, but it is also damaging to the athletes who partake in the sport, especially adolescents. I want to preface that I have never wrestled before, and this opinion is coming from a complete wrestling novice. Also, I am willing to be proven wrong; in fact, I hope I am wrong and that children are not denying themselves water to gain a tiny competitive advantage.

One of the arguments for cutting weight is that it keeps children safe because athletes are supposedly more likely to hurt themselves if they are in the “wrong” weight class. However, I wonder how restricting calories, over-exercising, and restricting water achieve safety? The answer: it doesn’t. Increased fatigue makes those in a calorie deficit more susceptible to injury. I recognise that during actual competition, the teen athletes fuel themself properly to avoid injury, but that does not excuse the abuse they put their body through to make a certain weight.

I have heard of wrestlers restricting their food intake for an entire week or more, waiting desperately for their weigh-in, and fantasizing about a burger or smoothie. Not only does this cause fatigue, but the culture of cutting weight also leads to eating disorders among impressionable teenagers. Teenagers, especially girls, are more likely to contract eating disorders from exposure to restrictive diets, and if not appropriately prefaced, wrestling could be a gateway into the long-term health crisis of disordered eating. 

Wrestlers in high school also train excessively while in deficit to decrease their weight — the most common deficit is to restrict water intake. You don’t need to be a doctor to know that a lack of water intake is extremely dangerous. 

The common factor between those who oppose cutting and those who condone it is the safety of the young athletes who partake in wrestling. Coaches must be cautious when discussing dropping weight or even bulking up for competitions. If handled properly, wrestlers prevent hurting themselves physically or mentally. Proper education for teen wrestlers about how to cut weight and why to do it is very important. The most crucial factor is giving these teenagers the choice to cut if they, and their coaches, feel it is a necessary step to see competitive results. Coaches must be aware and constantly look for signs of developing disordered eating after or before a cut to determine if this strategy is safe. 

That said, even if an athlete goes up in weight class, a few extra pounds should not beat out good technique and form. I understand that weight classes are to keep competitions fair and safe, but more practice, new techniques, and working out can supplement the competitive advantage of cutting weight.