The sport is aquathlon, also known as underwater wrestling. In this pool-based combat sport, two competitors grapple underwater and try to take a ribbon attached to the other athlete’s ankle.
The unusual name can cause confusion: aquathlon can also mean a swim-and-run race, depending on the sporting context. Here, the focus is the underwater wrestling discipline. This article explains its aim, basic match format, equipment, safety practices, and how it differs from other underwater sports, so you can identify the sport and understand what a match involves.
which sports played underwater is a type of wrestling?
Aquathlon is the underwater wrestling sport. Two athletes compete in a swimming pool, submerge, and use wrestling-style movement to reach for a ribbon worn on the opponent’s ankle. The goal is to remove the ribbon while following the event’s rules, then surface safely.
Unlike ordinary wrestling, the contest takes place underwater and athletes use swimming gear such as a mask and fins. Competitors do not use breathing equipment during the bout. The match depends on controlled movement, timing, and breath management rather than force alone.
The word aquathlon has more than one use in sport. It can describe an endurance event that combines swimming and running, but in underwater sports it also names this wrestling discipline. If a question mentions wrestling beneath the water, it means aquathlon in this sense.
How an underwater wrestling match works
Aquathlon matches take place in a pool, with the competitors starting at the surface or in the position specified by the event rules. When the referee signals the start, the athletes dive and attempt to take the ribbon from the other competitor. A successful removal is the central scoring action.
Although the objective sounds simple, the contest involves more than grabbing an ankle. Athletes use body positioning and short bursts of movement to get close, protect their own ribbon, and create an opening. They must also pay attention to the pool boundary, the referee’s signals, and their own need to surface.
What decides the winner?
The winner is determined by the event’s scoring and match rules. A bout may use rounds or a set time, and a referee oversees the action. If neither athlete earns a decisive result, the rules for that competition determine how the tie or outcome is handled.
Do not assume that every club or tournament uses identical details. Match length, rest periods, fouls, and tie-break procedures can depend on the governing rules in force. The consistent idea is the contest for the opponent’s ribbon, carried out underwater under supervision.
What the athletes are trying to do
Each competitor has two practical tasks: make a safe attempt to take the other person’s ribbon and keep their own ribbon out of reach. That makes the exchange a contest of offense and defense. A direct rush can be easy to anticipate, while an athlete who changes direction or waits for an opening may get closer without wasting as much effort.
Because both competitors are submerged, clear officiating matters. Referees monitor the action and intervene when needed. Their role helps keep the match within the rules and makes the outcome easier to judge.
Equipment used in aquathlon
Equipment is selected for underwater movement, visibility, and the ribbon-based objective. Exact requirements should come from the organizer, especially for competition. Common items include:
- Mask: A well-fitting swim or diving mask lets the athlete see underwater. A poor seal can leak and distract the competitor.
- Fins: Fins help with propulsion and changes of direction. They should fit securely and be appropriate for the pool and event rules.
- Swimsuit: Athletes wear swimwear that allows free movement and does not create loose material that can snag.
- Ribbons: Each athlete wears a ribbon in the prescribed position, commonly at the ankle. The opponent’s ribbon is the target of the contest.
- Swim cap: A cap may be part of the required kit and helps keep hair contained. Check the competition’s equipment list.
Equipment should fit the athlete rather than simply look suitable. Fins that are too large can slip or make movement awkward; a mask that presses painfully can distract from the bout. Before competing, check that straps are secure, the mask seals, and nothing is damaged.
Do not add weights, restraints, or unfamiliar gear to make the contest harder. Those changes can affect a person’s ability to surface and may violate event rules. Use only equipment approved by the organizer and suitable for supervised pool activity.
How aquathlon compares with other underwater sports
Several sports take place underwater or use diving and swimming skills, but they do not share the same objective. The table below separates aquathlon from related activities that are easy to confuse with it.
| Sport | Main objective | How it differs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquathlon (underwater wrestling) | Take the opponent’s ribbon during a supervised underwater bout. | Direct one-on-one contest with wrestling-style movement. | People interested in underwater combat sport. |
| Underwater rugby | Move a weighted ball into the opposing team’s goal. | Team sport with passing and possession rather than ribbon removal. | Players who enjoy tactical team play. |
| Underwater hockey | Push a puck across the pool bottom into a goal. | Team members use short sticks and compete for a puck. | Swimmers who prefer a fast team game. |
| Finswimming | Cover a set distance as quickly as possible using fins or other permitted equipment. | Racing against time or other swimmers, not grappling. | People focused on swimming speed and technique. |
All these activities can involve breath-holding and underwater movement, but their skills and rules are not interchangeable. Underwater rugby and hockey involve teams and objects; aquathlon centers on a pair of opponents and their ribbons. Finswimming is a race, not a combat sport.
Is aquathlon the same as ordinary wrestling?
No. Aquathlon borrows the idea of a direct physical contest, but its setting, objective, equipment, and safety demands are different. In common wrestling styles, competitors seek points or a pin through defined holds and positions on a mat. In aquathlon, the key aim is to remove the other athlete’s ribbon underwater.
It is also not a grappling match in which competitors should try to overpower each other by holding them down. The contest must follow the sport’s rules and the referee’s direction. Any action that prevents a competitor from surfacing or puts them at risk should be treated seriously, not as normal play.
This distinction is useful when looking up classes or events. Searching for underwater wrestling or aquathlon will usually point toward the ribbon-based discipline. Searching for wrestling alone may instead return land-based styles such as freestyle, Greco-Roman, or folkstyle wrestling.
Safety matters more than winning
Aquathlon is an underwater sport, so safety is not a minor detail. A competitor cannot breathe while submerged and may be exerting themselves at the same time. That makes supervision, sensible match conditions, and the ability to stop immediately essential.
Take part only in a properly organized session with trained supervision, clear rules, and appropriate pool facilities. Participants should know how the referee signals a stop, where they should surface, and who is watching the pool. A coach or organizer should explain the emergency plan before activity begins.
- Do not practice breath-holding alone. Underwater breath-hold exercises can lead to loss of consciousness without much warning, even in a pool.
- Do not copy competition techniques from a video. A video cannot assess your fitness, skill, or surroundings.
- Stop if you feel unwell or disoriented. Tell the supervisor rather than trying to finish a bout.
- Never hold someone underwater. The ribbon is the target; preventing a person from surfacing is dangerous and not a safe training tactic.
- Use suitable equipment. Poorly fitted or damaged gear can interfere with vision and movement.
A practical point that is easy to miss: being a strong swimmer does not automatically make someone ready for underwater wrestling. The sport combines contact, restricted breathing, and fast decisions. Learn the activity’s rules and safety procedures with qualified supervision before attempting a match.
How to get started safely
If you want to try aquathlon, look for a club or aquatic sports organization that specifically offers the underwater wrestling discipline. A general swim class may teach useful water skills, but it is not a substitute for instruction in this sport’s rules and controlled contact.
- Ask what discipline the group teaches. Confirm that it is underwater wrestling, not swim-run aquathlon, underwater hockey, or underwater rugby.
- Ask about coaching and supervision. Find out who oversees sessions, how the pool is monitored, and how participants stop or signal for help.
- Check entry requirements. The organizer can explain swimming ability, age rules, health considerations, and any beginner instruction needed.
- Review the equipment list. Confirm approved mask, fins, swimwear, cap, and ribbon requirements before buying anything.
- Learn the rules before sparring. Understand the objective, legal contact, referee signals, match format, and what to do if you need to surface.
- Start with instruction rather than a full bout. Build familiarity with the equipment and basic movement in a controlled setting before competing.
For a first inquiry, ask whether beginners can observe a session. Watching a supervised practice can show how the pool is arranged, how referees manage a bout, and whether the coaching approach feels clear. It also gives you a chance to ask about safety without pressure to participate immediately.
Common misconceptions about underwater wrestling
It is not underwater rugby
The names can sound alike because both sports take place underwater. But rugby uses a ball and team goals, while aquathlon uses a one-on-one ribbon contest. The gear, tactics, and match structure differ.
It is not simply a breath-holding contest
Holding your breath for a long time is not the goal. Aquathlon is a rules-based contest, and safe participation depends on supervision and the ability to stop. Trying to prove who can stay underwater longest is a different activity and a risky one.
“Aquathlon” does not always mean the same event
In endurance sport, aquathlon commonly refers to a swim followed by a run. In underwater sport, it refers to underwater wrestling. The surrounding context tells you which meaning is intended.
Being underwater does not make every move acceptable
Contact is part of the contest, but that does not mean an athlete may restrain an opponent or ignore a referee. The goal is to win within the rules, with both competitors able to surface safely.
Aquathlon is the underwater wrestling sport: competitors try to take an opponent’s ankle ribbon during a supervised underwater match. It is distinct from underwater rugby, underwater hockey, and the swim-run event that also uses the name aquathlon.
If you want to try it, find a group that teaches this specific discipline and ask about its coaching, rules, safety plan, and equipment before joining. Do not practice underwater breath-holding or grappling without qualified supervision.