A wrestling singlet (or simply singlet) is a one-piece, tight-fitting, colored uniform, usually made of spandex, lycra, or nylon, used in amateur wrestling. The uniform is tight fitting so as not to get grasped accidentally by one’s opponent, and allows the referee to see each wrestler’s body clearly when awarding points or a pin. Unlike judo, it is illegal to grasp an opponent’s clothing in all styles of amateur wrestling.
There are a variety of different types of singlets to choose from, which largely depends on the type of amateur wrestling you are competing in. There are different types of singlets for Greco-Roman wrestling and for freestyle wrestling.
Determine the type of singlet you need based on your wrestling style. If you are doing freestyle wrestling you will need a high cut singlet, where as if you are doing Greco-Roman wrestling you will need a low cut wrestling singlet
Underneath the singlet, wrestlers traditionally wore a jockstrap (athletic supporter), although wrestling briefs, compression shorts or nothing at all has become more popular in recent years. Some wrestlers wear an athletic supporter with a protective cup, regular briefs, boxers or tights. A protective cup will protect the wrestler from an elbow, knee, jab, etc… to the groin, but isn’t considered common. Brad Garrett’s character in The Pacifier can be seen wearing a cup for wrestling.
The two developments that are made in past twenty years have brought great changes in the wrestling singlets. These two materials that are developed are Lycra and Spandex. These are the two materials that have made a considerable change in the manufacturing of wrestling singlet. The uniforms developed for wrestlers using these materials have many more advantages over the uniform that were designed in past years using old material. In past uniforms was used to make from nylon and other synthetic material like polyester. The new developed material enhances the flexibility and comfort of the singlet and also reduces its weight. Development of this material is the great innovation that has altered the wrestling singlet manufacturing. wiki article youtube Wrestling singlet