Wrestling in Cairns: Why Folkstyle Wrestling Is Gaining Popularity

Wrestling Classes in cairns

If you’ve been searching for Wrestling in Cairns, you may have noticed something interesting, more athletes, beginners, footy players, and everyday adults are stepping onto the mats to learn folk style wrestling.

Once considered a niche combat sport in Australia, wrestling is now gaining serious momentum. At Pretty Top Team, we’ve seen first-hand how quickly interest is growing, particularly among those wanting better conditioning, improved self-defense, and stronger performance in other sports like No-Gi Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and rugby league.

So why is wrestling becoming so popular in Cairns?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Folkstyle Wrestling?

Folkstyle wrestling, also known as collegiate wrestling, is the dominant style practiced throughout the United States. It blends elements of Greco-Roman wrestling, Freestyle wrestling, and Judo, but places heavy emphasis on:

• Strong stance positioning

• Establishing dominant control

• Escapes and reversals

• Takedowns

• On-mat control

Unlike striking-based martial arts, wrestling focuses purely on grappling. There are no punches, kicks, or submissions. Instead, athletes rely on positioning, leverage, strength, stamina, and technique to outmatch their opponent.

That’s one of the key reasons Wrestling in Cairns is attracting such a wide range of people, it’s intense, technical, and incredibly effective, yet accessible for beginners.

Why Wrestling in Cairns Is Growing So Quickly

1. Cross-Training for Other Combat Sports

Wrestling is one of the most valuable foundations for athletes training in:

• No-Gi Jiu Jitsu

• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• MMA

• Muay Thai (especially for clinch control and balance)

Strong takedowns and top control can completely change the outcome of a match. That’s why many grapplers and strikers are now adding wrestling to their weekly training schedule.

The rise of No-Gi competition worldwide has also played a big role. Athletes are realising that without wrestling, they’re missing a critical piece of the puzzle.

2. Rugby League & Footy Players Want Better Tackling

Wrestling is especially popular among footy players looking to improve their tackling technique.

Learning:

• Body positioning

• Level changes

• Driving mechanics

• Balance under pressure

…translates directly onto the field.

Instead of relying purely on strength, athletes develop technique-based control — reducing injury risk and improving effectiveness in contact situations.

That’s one reason why Wrestling in Cairns is becoming a go-to option for off-season training.

3. It’s One of the Best Full-Body Workouts Available

Wrestling training is intense.

During classes, students continuously drill positions and movements so they become automatic. There’s a heavy focus on:

• Explosive movement

• Functional strength

• Core stability

• Cardiovascular endurance

• Grip strength

• Mental toughness

Unlike standard gym workouts, wrestling combines strength, conditioning, agility, and coordination in every session.

You don’t just get fitter, you become more athletic.

4. Practical Self-Defense Without Striking

Many people want to learn self-defense but feel unsure about striking arts.

Wrestling teaches you how to:

• Control someone without throwing punches

• Stay balanced under pressure

• Escape from disadvantageous positions

• Reverse and regain control

This makes wrestling a powerful and practical self-defense base, especially in real-world scenarios where controlling someone safely may be more important than striking them.

What You’ll Learn in Level 1 Wrestling

At Pretty Top Team, our Level 1 Wrestling program is designed specifically for beginners.

In this class, you’ll learn all the fundamentals needed to start moving like a wrestler.

We cover:

• Takedowns from standing

• On-mat manoeuvres

• Escapes and reversals

• Positional control

• Stance and footwork

• Drilling techniques for real application

It’s structured, progressive, and beginner-friendly, even if you’ve never stepped onto a mat before.

Structured Progression: 24-Week Curriculum

One of the reasons our Wrestling in Cairns program stands out is the structured development pathway.

Our curriculum runs on a 24-week cycle, with grading at the end of each cycle.

We are proudly affiliated with The Wrestling Foundation, which provides a clear grading syllabus consisting of three levels.

All grading is conducted by Head Coach and Owner, Gary Jones, ensuring technical standards remain high and consistent.

This gives students:

• A clear sense of progression

• Measurable goals

• Technical benchmarks

• External recognition of skill development

For many students, having structured milestones keeps motivation high and training focused.

Can You Start Wrestling at Any Time?

Yes.

You can begin Wrestling in Cairns at Pretty Top Team at any time during the cycle. Your grading will align with the next available assessment period.

There’s no need to “wait for the next intake.” If you’re ready to start, you can step straight onto the mats.

What to Wear to Wrestling Class

Wrestling has slightly different requirements compared to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

For training, you’ll wear:

• Shorts

• T-shirt

• Wrestling shoes

When starting out, runners or sneakers are perfectly fine. As you progress, you may choose to invest in proper wrestling shoes for better grip and mat performance.

Bring:

• A towel (two if you sweat a lot)

• A water bottle

Expect to work hard, wrestling is a serious workout.

Why Folkstyle Wrestling Is a Smart Long-Term Investment

If you look at high-level MMA fighters, No-Gi champions, and elite grapplers worldwide, one pattern stands out:

Strong wrestling foundations dominate.

Folkstyle wrestling teaches relentless pressure, positional awareness, and mat control, qualities that are extremely difficult to develop elsewhere.

Even if you never compete, these skills:

• Improve body awareness

• Build confidence

• Develop mental toughness

• Enhance athletic performance

It’s not just training, it’s skill acquisition.

The Community Factor

Another reason Wrestling in Cairns is growing is the supportive training environment.

Wrestling requires drilling with partners. That builds camaraderie, trust, and team culture.

At Pretty Top Team, classes are structured but welcoming. Beginners train alongside more experienced students in a way that encourages development, not intimidation.

You’re pushed, but supported.

Why Choose Pretty Top Team for Wrestling in Cairns?

When choosing where to train, you want:

• Qualified coaches

• Structured progression

• Clear grading system

• Safe training environment

• Technical focus

• Supportive community

With affiliation to The Wrestling Foundation, experienced coaches, and a proven 24-week curriculum, Pretty Top Team offers high-quality wrestling classes right in the Cairns CBD.

We don’t just run random drills, we build wrestlers.

Ready to Try Wrestling in Cairns?

If you’ve been considering starting wrestling, improving your footy tackles, building explosive fitness, or strengthening your grappling foundation, now is the perfect time.

All you need is:

• Shorts

• T-shirt

• Runners (to start)

• Towel

• Water bottle

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced athlete looking to sharpen your edge, our wrestling program is designed to meet you where you’re at.

So why wait?

👉 Book your a trial today and join us at Pretty Top Team and experience why Wrestling in Cairns is growing faster than ever.