SileX blogja

I've been in some other open mats (sporty and MF oriented) and I can't agree more with you. It is so much fun, and give so many opportunities to meet people and make friends. Of course, it can be intimidating, fighting in front of many people, not knowing if you will win or will be badly beaten, so I will only add one thing to your post: communication. Ask people to "dance", and accept other proposals, talk a bit before, just to be sure the fight will be enjoyable for both, no limits will be crossed and so. Of course, we all want to fight the god-looking SileX, but each one have his own fighting style and pace, so fighting lots of different people you always discover something and/or someone you can enjoy.

Is that article for me? Hehehe, very well written! Enjoy your time there buddy!!!

As a non fighter/wrestler I was convinced to join and check it out..
A really great experience and an awesome step, especially if you know nothing about it!
So.. I can't agree more!

Atmosphere is relaxed yet intense, guys are friendly yet competitive.. And it's all served with or without alcohol - up to you!
just choose your opponent and make the first step..

And it feels like going out should feel - a place where you can explore, communicate and just hang out together.. A real pleasure!!

Thank you Silex for starting this discussion.

Me too, before I had my first experience of participating in an event with other wrestlers around, waited a long time and had many doubts.
Finally some years ago, I experienced in Manchester a first match on the tatami at an event organized by the British guys.
After doing some private matches, in closed rooms, I was lucky enough to meet some wrestlers there who made me feel comfortable and encouraged me to wrestle in a public space.

Since that day, I have participated in many events, with more or less people around but always it has been a positive experience.

First of all, once you're on the tatami or in the ring, all your energy and thoughts are concreted into the match so you won't notice that you have people around.
Of course you don't have the same privacy as a closed room, but the intensity and feeling of the fight is not lost.
No one is judging you and certainly no one will be there to check who won and lost.

So I recommend that everyone experience Open Mats, because they are an amazing way to meet so many other wrestlers and enjoy the events.

Thanks buddy. Great post. I'm really looking forward to my 1st group meet like this at Wretlefest Toronto.
Wish I could also make it to Berlin!

Very much endorse the sentiments. My experience is that new guys often make the same mis-steps: being fearful of facing more experienced or trained guys and reluctant to go to more than a 121 session. The reality in my experience is that trained guys quickly work out their opponent and adjust. Nobody is going for Olympic gold but everyone has an interest in avoiding ambulance trips. Likewise, private 121 matches have a place in all our hearts n speedos but a group meet lets you wrestle, rest n chat and wrestle some more. Give it a try!

I've been to several FightClub meetings in Berlin, Mechelen, Genoa, London and Manchester, as well as a Wrestlefest in Toronto. It was a great experience every time. Relaxed atmospheres and interesting wrestling partners on and off the mat. You also get to know the cities much better with the locals. Over the years I've made so many new wrestling friends. I'm really looking forward to Wrestlefest in Berlin.

I couldn’t agree more with all the thoughtful perspectives shared here about open mats, and I’d like to add my two cents.

While a private match can be a great opportunity to connect with someone one-on-one, it’s worth remembering that the match you planned may not be what you expected. Additionally, for safety I personally prefer to roll on mats vs a mattress, and those mats are open and available to all of us.

An open mat is simply a gathering where you can choose a partner to roll with, then switch to another, and then maybe another. Or, you might find someone you really connect with and choose to spend the rest of the session rolling with them.

As seen in the video, the space isn’t a stage or an arena—it’s a small, intimate room. Everyone around you will likely be rolling with their own partners, focused on their own practice. No one is standing around just watching you. We’re all there to learn, move, and sweat with intention and respect.

What makes open mats so special is the chance to experience a variety of styles, skill levels, and personalities. The diversity and flow of partners are part of what makes the training so rich.

Totally agree - the mats at Einsteiger (beginner training at Thursday and open mat at Saturday) are much bigger - 2 official wrestling mats)

Entered for my first group meet in London June 28 th this year. It has taken forever to place my name on the list and get motivated.
So I’m going and really looking forward to it. I decided to start group meets because it’s sometimes hard to arrange a single match.
At least if you attend the group meets you hopefully are assured of sometime mat time.

What and where? I could be tempted

Interesting issue. As a Berliner I am happy to welcome You. I am also a little bit curious, but I won't participate, since I am totally unexperenced and not talentated.
Have fun!!!