Each year, this remarkable tournament celebrates the majesty of South Africa’s Big 5 animals, and in 2026, we are
proud to honor the mighty Elephant. Just as the Big 5—Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, and Leopard—are featured on
South Africa’s currency notes, the tournament itself rotates each year accordingly to pay tribute to these magnificent
creatures. Wrestlers who secure gold in a specific wrestling style for five consecutive years earn the prestigious
“Champion of Champions” title, celebrated by the Big 5 Trophy. This unique trophy symbolizes each of the golden
medals won in the past five tournaments, making it a rare and remarkable achievement only attained by a select few.
From the stunning landscapes of our bushveld to the warmth and hospitality of our people, we invite you to
experience the heart and soul of South Africa as you compete in this incredible celebration of sport and culture.
THE LARGEST TOURNAMENT IN AFRICA
• WRESTLING ON 8 MATS
• 06 AUGUST 2026 – WEIGH-INS OPEN FOR ALL STYLES
• 08 AUGUST 2026 – TOURNAMENT COMMENCES
• OPPORTUNITY TO WRESTLE IN BOTH GRECO-ROMAN AND FREESTYLE
• 31st JULY – 2 AUGUST 2026: BIG 5 TRAINING CAMP @ DINOKENG
The 2025 Big 5 Training Camp marked a milestone as the first camp of its kind for wrestlers from Under-8 to Senior level. Hosted at Camp Discovery in the Dinokeng Nature Reserve, the setting provided wrestlers with a truly unique African bushveld experience that combined high-performance training with an unforgettable environment.
The camp was led by an exceptional international coaching lineup: Coach Elejandro Villa Gomez (Ecuador), Coach Luis Forecelledo Paz (Namibia/Cuba), Shaun Williams (USA and RSA Olympian), and Bennie Labuschagne (RSA Olympian). With 90 entries, the camp was a tremendous success, and expectations are high for an even bigger and better event in 2026.
The annual Big 5 Open, hosted at the LC de Villiers Sports Centre at the University of Pretoria, continues to set the standard as a world-class wrestling event. The 2026 edition saw a record-breaking 1,008 entries competing across eight mats, making it a truly remarkable tournament. To further enhance efficiency and align with international best practice, the 2026 Junior Big 5 Open will be hosted over two days.
In celebration of lifelong participation in the sport, the event will also host the Over-60 World Championships, honouring masters athletes who continue to train, compete, and perform at a high level.
International participation is already confirmed, with a USA Northwest Wrestling Exchange Team from Washington and Oregon, as well as teams from Namibia and Ecuador. We are excited to welcome these delegations and look forward to hosting additional international clubs and competitors.
Copies of Passports, a clear photo where the face is visible and indemnity for needs to be e-mailed to the Gauteng North Secretary at secretary@gnwrestling.co.za
© 2025 All Rights Reserved. Designed by BrightCo
