The proposal to restructure IKWF weight classes under the banner of growth and national alignment is well-intentioned—but deeply flawed in its assumptions, unnecessary in its scope, and potentially harmful to the competitive integrity and operational simplicity that has allowed Illinois to remain a national leader in youth wrestling development.
Wrestling is about toughness, resilience, and adaptation. The current IKWF system fosters that. Let’s not dismantle it for the illusion of national alignment or to accommodate edge cases that are already solvable through good coaching and smart planning.
The right move is no move. Reject this proposal. Keep the structure. Trust the system that’s made Illinois great. Sign this petition to let the IKWF Board know that you would like them to vote NO on this propsal.
Updates
April 30, 2025
I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO COACHES ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE AND THE FEEDBACK IS UNANIMOUS!! EVERYONE AGREES WE MUST PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF ILLINOIS WRESTLING BY REJECTING THESE UNNECESSARY CHANGES!!
April 30, 2025
THIS MOMENTUM IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! THE BOARD CANNOT IGNORE THIS GROUND SWELL OF SUPPORT FOR KEEPING OUR WEIGHT CLASSES EXACTLY AS THEY ARE!! WE ARE SHOWING EVERYONE THAT ILLINOIS WRESTLING DEMANDS TO BE HEARD!!
Reached 100 supporters
April 30, 2025
30 Comments
My freshly turned 8 year old is on the heavier side and he will be affected by this! He loves wrestling and will be on his 3rd year this upcoming season. If the proposal passes he will be affected to even participate in regionals/sectionals.
Please don’t do this I have a heavyweight that this will certainly unfaily and unjustly effect
If you do this, you should have this planned a few years in advance. This is taking the wind out of their sails for all the kids that have been striving to be at the top their final year .
I am against all these changes, this would take my sons 8th grade year away from him since he has a November birthday!
My son would lose out on his 8th grade year of wrestling. I am worried he won’t want to come back after being out for a year of competitive matches time. This is awful
No need to change ages and weight classes
No need to change weights
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The proposal to restructure IKWF weight classes under the banner of growth and national alignment is well-intentioned—but deeply flawed in its assumptions, unnecessary in its scope, and potentially harmful to the competitive integrity and operational simplicity that has allowed Illinois to remain a national leader in youth wrestling development.
Wrestling is about toughness, resilience, and adaptation. The current IKWF system fosters that. Let’s not dismantle it for the illusion of national alignment or to accommodate edge cases that are already solvable through good coaching and smart planning.
The right move is no move. Reject this proposal. Keep the structure. Trust the system that’s made Illinois great. Sign this petition to let the IKWF Board know that you would like them to vote NO on this propsal.
Updates
April 30, 2025
I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO COACHES ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE AND THE FEEDBACK IS UNANIMOUS!! EVERYONE AGREES WE MUST PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF ILLINOIS WRESTLING BY REJECTING THESE UNNECESSARY CHANGES!!
April 30, 2025
THIS MOMENTUM IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! THE BOARD CANNOT IGNORE THIS GROUND SWELL OF SUPPORT FOR KEEPING OUR WEIGHT CLASSES EXACTLY AS THEY ARE!! WE ARE SHOWING EVERYONE THAT ILLINOIS WRESTLING DEMANDS TO BE HEARD!!
Reached 100 supporters
April 30, 2025
30 Comments
I simply want my legit 8th grader (non hold back) to have a kids sanctioned federation to compete in since his school does not offer. If the snowball of weight leads to matching up ages, his November bday will force him to be 16U. Who is the is really benefiting?
My freshly turned 8 year old is on the heavier side and he will be affected by this! He loves wrestling and will be on his 3rd year this upcoming season. If the proposal passes he will be affected to even participate in regionals/sectionals.
Please don’t do this I have a heavyweight that this will certainly unfaily and unjustly effect
If you do this, you should have this planned a few years in advance. This is taking the wind out of their sails for all the kids that have been striving to be at the top their final year .
I am against all these changes, this would take my sons 8th grade year away from him since he has a November birthday!
My son would lose out on his 8th grade year of wrestling. I am worried he won’t want to come back after being out for a year of competitive matches time. This is awful
No need to change ages and weight classes
No need to change weights
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I simply want my legit 8th grader (non hold back) to have a kids sanctioned federation to compete in since his school does not offer. If the snowball of weight leads to matching up ages, his November bday will force him to be 16U. Who is the is really benefiting?