What is repechage? Why Repechage rule is used in Wrestling and Judo?
Follow Us
what is repechage
Repechage is a common phenomenon used in modern-day combat sports such as Wrestling, Judo, and others. The word repechage is derived from the French Repecher which means rescue in English.
This rule isn’t used in combat sports only; it is used in many sports disciplines such as Softball, Beach Volleyball, Rugby, Fencing, Rowing along with combat sports like Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and Wrestling.
Repechage rule was first introduced in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee. In these sports, this rule comes into effect when a player or team losses the pre-quarterfinal matches or later.
It allows them to compete again in the further rounds and secure a bronze medal. All the losing players or teams of the pre-quarterfinals and quarter-finals fall in the brackets and winners amongst them fight against the losers of the semi-finals to fight for Bronze Medal. This was the main reason why repechage rule is used in wrestling and judo.
Why Repechage rule is used in Wrestling and Judo?
The main motive behind this rule was to give the deserving players one more chance to fight for the Bronze Medal so that they don’t suffer elimination in the early rounds due to a tough pool.
In the earlier days of competitions when this rule wasn’t introduced, many deserving players like world champions end up without winning even a Bronze Medal in the Olympic Games and international leagues.
This rule allowed them to fight one more time for the Medal and end up being on the medal podium, even after having a tough draw and losing the fight, that’s why repechage rule is used in wrestling and judo. Indian wrestlers such as Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Sakshi Malik won Bronze Medals in wrestling through Repechage rule.
How does the Repechage system work?
In some combat sports like Wrestling, Judo, Taekwondo, and others, two Bronze Medals are awarded. Suppose player A losses the quarter-final fight to player B, if player B qualifies for the final fight after defeating him,
Then player A will fight against the losing quarter-final player of the other pool and then ultimately the winner of these fights will fight against the losing players of the semi-finalist of each pool.
In other words, it is a mini knockout round event in each weight category.
Also Read: Why are 2 Bronze medals awarded in Combat Sports like Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, and Taekwondo?
Stay Updated!
Shivansh Thakur
(1173 Articles Published)