Forfeit Meaning in Wrestling

A forfeit happens when a wrestler does not show up to compete. The match is awarded to the opponent automatically. No wrestling takes place on the mat. This can occur if a team has no athlete in that weight class. It can also happen if a wrestler refuses to compete. The opponent receives full victory points for the team. In many formats, a forfeit gives the maximum team score. For example, a team has no wrestler at 132 pounds. The opposing wrestler steps on the mat alone. The referee raises his hand to signal a forfeit win. No points are scored through action. A forfeit can strongly impact team results. Coaches work hard to avoid open weight classes.