Athletes might think their days of wearing a wrestling singlet end after their high school or college wrestling career concludes. If an athlete chooses to continue competing in submission wrestling tournaments, then his/her grappling days continue. The rules are different, and so are the uniform requirements. Competitors come from other wrestling and martial arts backgrounds. The vast majority of competitors don't wear singlets, although singlets may be acceptable under the rules. Former wrestlers. however, may find a singlet preferable.
The Uniform Style
Modern submission wrestling tournament competitors usually wear boardshorts and either a t-shirt or a rashguard. The competitive apparel, incredibly, owes itself to the sport's loose relationship with surfing culture than grappling competitions. Former wrestlers might view the "extreme sports" look as too casual, though. They could even see performance drawbacks. Wearing a singlet might be the better option, as the uniform is designed for wrestling. And then some may feel guided by personal preferences.
Reliving the "Good Old Days"
A former wrestler who wishes to compete in the Masters or Seniors division might only want to perform in one or two submission tournaments. Doing so allows him/her to relive wrestling days of decades past. Wearing the singlet could appeal to the older competitor, as doing so pays homage to those days of scholastic-era competition. Also, if someone is more familiar with wearing certain clothes when competing, why make a switch?
Understanding the Rules
Submission wrestling is a form of grappling, but the rules are dramatically different from amateur wrestling. Besides an entirely different point system and the elimination of pinfalls, submission wrestling heavily emphasizes joint locks and chokes. Be mindful of rules regarding clothing and chokes. If the rules say a competitor can use a singlets strap to choke, the person wearing the uniform must prepare him/herself for the attack. Practicing in the singlet becomes necessary to prepare for the tournament. Wearing one thing for practice and competing in something else would doubtfully be helpful.
Buy a New Singlet or Two
Pulling an old singlet out of an attic box doesn't reflect the best idea. Age likely dulled its look, and the fit is sure to be off. Purchasing a brand-new wrestling singlet makes better sense. Buying two, one for practice and one for the competition, might even be a better idea. Make sure to wear both in practice, though. You want to look good in a rarely used singlet, but you want to be familiar with how it fits and feels on the mat.
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