Aquathlon (underwater wrestling)

Aquathlon

US Navy servicemen practise underwater search and rescue scenarios involving combative or panicky victims, which corresponds to certain aquathlonic disciplines
Highest governing body	CMAS
Nicknames	Underwater Wrestling
First played	Moscow, 1982
Characteristics
Contact	yes
Type	Aquatic
Equipment	diving mask, fins & water polo cap
Venue	Swimming pool

Aquathlon (also known as underwater wrestling) is an underwater sport, where two competitors wearing masks and fins wrestle underwater in an attempt to remove a ribbon from each other's ankle band in order to win the bout. The "combat" takes place in a 5-metre (16 ft) square ring within a swimming pool, and is made up of three 30-second rounds, with a fourth round played in the event of a tie. The sport originated during the 1980s in the former USSR (now Russia) and was first played at international level in 1993. It was recognised by the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) in 2008. Combat aquathlon practice training engagements not only under water, but also afloat, above the water surface, both with or without diving gear, utilizing dummy weapons (rubber knives, bayonetted rifles, etc.) or barehanded, combined with grappling and choking techniques in order to neutralize or submit the opponent.