The 2016 Odd Haugen Strength Classic San Jose

San Jose Convention Center,  California

May 21-22, 2016

2016 USA OPEN MAS Wrestling Championship

All athletes competing in MAS Wrestling ONLY must be current members of MAS Wrestling USA.  NAS members competing in Odd Haugen Northern California Strongman Challenge are not required to join MAS Wrestling USA.

Weight categories are:  LWW -140lb; MWW – 180lb; HWW 181lb and above; LWM -176lb; WWM -198lb; MWM –231lb; HWM 232lb and above.   Weight/age categories with 2 or less athletes merged with next higher weight category; weight categories with 3-5 athletes conducted in Round Robin format; and weight categories with 6 or more athletes conducted in a Double Elimination format to be determined based on number of athletes competing in a weight category.

AWARDS:              1st – 3rd in each weight category

 ENTRY FEES:        MAS Wrestling ONLY $50.00

ENTRY FORM:      https://maswrestlingusa.com/2016-usa-open-mas-wrestling-entry-form

                                (Strongman competitors compete for FREE).  https://maswrestlingusa.com/membership-form

                                Expo Entry fee of $25 per day is WAIVED for registered athletes

 ENTRY DEADLINE:              April 30, 2016 (Tournament Seeding will be by random draw)

 HOTEL:  See website :  https://www.thefitexpo.com/TFESJ_hotel.asp

 Schedule of Events

Friday May 20, 2016

 12Noon –6 PM Weigh-in and check in and NAS Registration Odd Haugen Northern California Strongman Challenge and USA Open MAS Wrestling Championship.

 Saturday May 21, 2016

9:00AM:  Late Weigh-in and Athletes’ MAS Wrestling

12:30PM   Combat MAS™:  USA Open MAS Wrestling Championship

Athletes will compete in double elimination type tournament (exact format to be determined based on number athletes entered in each weight category).  Each match is best two of three bouts, athletes seeded based on overall standing.  If 5 or less in weight category – Round Robin.  Points as follows:  Win 2-0 and receive 3 Points; win 2-1 and receive 2 Points; lose 1-2 and receive 1 Point; and lose 0-2 and receive NO Points in match.

4:30PM – Final Rounds:  USA Open MAS Wrestling Championship

5:30PM – Strength Challenge and MAS Wrestling Championship Award Ceremony

 4:00PM – 6PM – Early Weigh-In and Registration for Visegrip Viking Challenge and Absolute MAS Wrestling Championship.

Sunday May 22 10 AM to 2:00PM: Open Trials and Demos for audience of MAS Wrestling between Visegrip Viking Challenge disciplines.

 Schedule subject to refinement and change without notice.

 MAS Wrestling is an ancient sport from Yakutia (far northern region of the Russian Republic of Sakha).   Athletes sit in front of each other, prop their feet against the board that divides the competition arena and pull on a short stick. The athlete that is assigned RED side (based on random draw) chooses the stick hold position (internal or external for the first match), and the one who chooses the external hold, shows his position (left or right) and has no right to change it. In second match the grip is reversed/switched (internal/external), and if third match is necessary, a blind draw of a ball (red or blue) is conducted (drawn by BLUE side) and the color drawn determine choice of stick position. The stick must be over the board, hands and fingers are not to overlapped.  Match starts on Referee’s signal.

An athlete wins the match if he/his:

  • pulls (snatches out) the stick;
  • pulls the opponent over with the stick;
  • opponent releases a hand (hands);
  • opponent moves one or two feet over the board higher than knee level; or
  • opponent gets second caution in single match.

Cautions are given for:

  • hooking and resting the stick and/or arms against the board and/or toes;
  • twisting the stick over 90 degrees vertically and horizontally;
  • re-gripping and twisting the stick before start;
  • disobeying the Referee’s orders before start;
  • false start; or
  • setting feet, body or head against the lateral device fastening the board;

No Contest is declared if:

  • the stick breaks; or
  • athletes fall together and are not able to continue the match.

Best two of three Bouts win the Match, and carry along Points as follows:  Win 2-0 and receive 3 Points; win 2-1 and receive 2

Points; lose 1-2 and receive 1 Point; and lose 0-2 and receive NO Points.

https://maswrestlingusa.com/mas-wrestling/abridged-mas-wrestling-usa-rules

See it in action https://www.youtube.com/user/MASWrestlingUSA

The rules are explained:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fia8W49hBNI

Worth noting, the Scottish SWINGLE TREE is a traditional Highland Shepherd strength test that dates back hundreds of years.  A shepherd’s crook would be used. Two competitors will grab either side of the crook go into a seated position with their feet against a wooden beam. Competitors will attempt to pull one another to their side, the loser being the competitor going over to the opposite side.  The Norse Men (Vikings) had a similar type challenge, KJEVLETREKK, and it dates back more than a thousand years, wherein the competitors were sitting feet to feet, attempting to pull the opponent to standing position. Per Yakut oral legend, the Vikings with their long ships brought the sport to Yakutia.