weight class
{{Short description|Divisions to match sizes of opponents}}
{{Human body weight}}
Weight classes are divisions of competition used to match competitors against others of their own size. Weight classes are used in a variety of sports including rowing, weight lifting, and especially combat sports{{cite book|first1=Debasis|last1=Bagchi|first2=Nair|last2=Sreejayan|first3=Chandan K.|last3=Sen|title=Nutrition and Enhanced Sports Performance: Muscle Building, Endurance, and Strength|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6gzrRZ_U7dQC&dq=Weight%2520class%2520sport%2520are%2520divisions%2520of%2520competition&pg=PA115|publisher=Academic Press|date=26 July 2013|isbn=978-0-12-396477-9|via=Google Books}} such as boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Alternatives to formal weight classes include catch weight and openweight.
The existence of weight divisions gives rise to the practice of weight cutting. To be the largest individual in a weight division is perceived as advantageous; therefore many athletes lose weight through dieting and dehydration prior to weigh-ins to qualify for a lower weight class.{{cite book|first1=Will|last1=Peveler|title=Strength and Conditioning for Mixed Martial Arts: A Practical Guide for the Busy Athlete|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lkMjEAAAQBAJ&dq=Weight%2520class%2520cut&pg=PA155|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|date=14 July 2021|isbn=978-1-5381-3955-4|via=Google Books}}
Comparison
Below are selected maximum weight limits for the major classes in different sports.
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Divisions | Boxing | MMA | Kickboxing (ONE) | BJJ
!Judo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight
| 200.6 lb (91 kg) | 264.6 lb (120 kg) | 265.0 lb (120.2 kg) | {{convert|94.3|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} | +{{convert|100|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} | ||||
| Light heavyweight | {{convert|175|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|205|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|225|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|88.5|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| |
| Middleweight | {{convert|160|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|185|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|205|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|82.3|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|90|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |
| Welterweight | {{convert|147|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|170|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|185|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | | |
| Lightweight | {{convert|135|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|155|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|170|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|76|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|73|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |
| Featherweight | {{convert|126|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|145|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|155|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|70|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| |
| Bantamweight | {{convert|118|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|135|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|145|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|57.5|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
| |
| Flyweight | {{convert|112|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|125|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | {{convert|135|lb|kg|1|abbr=on}} | | |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}