In an effort to offer national folkstyle competitions to a broader scope of athletes, USA Wrestling has expanded its ASICS Ultimate Challenge Series to three new locations; California, Indiana and Ohio.  The popular youth wrestling series now includes 11 quality events, culminating with USA Wrestling's Kids & Cadet Folkstyle National Championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The 2005-06 ASICS Ultimate Challenge Series of folkstyle wrestling begins its fourth season with the introduction of the California World Challenge in Fresno, CA,  October 14-16.  The event, in its first year as part of the Ultimate Challenge Series, is one of three new events added to the already outstanding slate of national kid's folkstyle competitions.  The Indy Nationals and the Arnold Wrestling Challenge have also been added to the Series for the 2005-06 season.  

Organizers of the California World Challenge have already received commitments to participate from wrestlers as far away as Florida and Wisconsin.  This is in addition to the already tough field of athletes from California, Oregon and other western states.

The second of three recently added events is the Indy Nationals, scheduled for February 19, 2006 in Indianapolis, IN.  The event is scheduled to take place the day after the Indiana State High School Championships in beautiful Conseco Fieldhouse, home to the NBA's Indiana Pacers.  Located in the Midwest and bordering Illinois, Ohio and Michigan, the tournament is sure to attract some of the best youth folkstyle wrestlers in the country.  In addition to great competition, organizers are working to schedule a college dual meet immediately following the youth event for all participants and fans.

The final addition to this year's Series, the Arnold Wrestling Challenge, promises to be a spectacle for all participants and fans.  The event will take place in Columbus, Ohio, March 3-5, alongside many other sporting attractions as part of the 2006 Arnold Fitness Expo.  In addition to wrestling, the weekend fitness expo includes Olympic weightlifting, body building, powerlifting, gymnastics, boxing and many other featured events.  

USA Wrestling is thrilled with the opportunity to showcase its sport alongside some of the world's greatest athletes and is pleased to have the Arnold Wrestling Challenge included in this year's Ultimate Challenge Series.

The 2005-06 Ultimate Challenge Series will also include several events from last season.  The other poplar events to be showcased include:

* The Winter Classic at the David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, Ill., Nov. 25-26.

*The Dixie ASICS Nationals at Gwinnett Arena in Duluth, Georgia, Dec. 19.

* The 21st Annual Brute Bowl Classic at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 28-29.

* The U.S. Junior Open Championships at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., Jan. 6-7.

*The Sunkist Kids Ultimate Challenge at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Arizona, Jan. 8.

* The ASICS Liberty Nationals at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 25.

* VAC/USAW Wrestle-FEST 2006 at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Va., March 10-12.

* USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, April 7-9.

For the 2005-06 Series, athlete divisions will be determined by the age the participant was on September 1, 2005, and no athlete may turn 16 years old in 2006 and remain eligible. The three age divisions that earn points are Division I (9 & 10 year olds), Division II (11 & 12 year olds) and Division III (13-15 year olds). It should be noted that although several events in the Series include other age-group categories, only these three age-group divisions will score points towards the Dominator awards.

A point system based on individual event placing will track the results of each athlete, and at the end of the eleven-event series, nine Dominator belts will be awarded to the top point scorers in three age divisions. 

If there is a tie in points for any of the top three places, the tie shall be determined by the following criteria in order: most 1st place finishes, most 2nd place finishes, most 3rd place finishes, most overall wins, highest number of pins. The athlete scoring the most Dominator points will be recognized as the "Ultimate Dominator" and receive a special award. 

Don't miss your chance to be the Ultimate Dominator; the quest for the belt begins in California.

For event information and additional Series news, click on the Ultimate Challenge Series advertisement at www.TheMat.com.

2005-06 Scoring System:
(For all events except USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships)

1st Place = 1600 points
2nd Place = 1200 points
3rd Place = 1000 points
4th Place = 900 points
5th Place = 700 points
6th Place = 600 points
7th Place = 400 points
8th Place = 300 points

2005-06 Scoring System:
(For USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships)

1st Place = 3200 points
2nd Place = 2400 points
3rd Place = 2000 points
4th Place = 1800 points
5th Place = 1400 points
6th Place = 1200 points
7th Place = 800 points
8th Place = 600 points