Bald And Fat Classic To Return Later This Month In Hampton Bays

The “Bald and Fat” are returning to Hampton Bays.

The Bald and Fat Classic, the wrestling tournament for those maybe past their prime, is returning to Hampton Bays on April 30 at the Hampton Bays Middle School. Dubbed by Joe Musti, the creator of the event, as “a fast paced, high energy, non-stop wrestling tournament for real men who’ve passed their prime and have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning,” the tournament was a hit when it first landed in Hampton Bays in 2019, bringing nearly 80 wrestlers together.

But the COVID-19 pandemic cut short any chance of having the event in 2020, and then again last year due to the way safety protocols were still in place.

As they did three years ago, all proceeds will benefit the Hampton Bays wrestling program.

“It’s great to get the tournament back, and so many people that day pointed out that it was just a lot of fun,” said Hampton Bays varsity head coach Mike Lloyd, who competed in the tournament in 2019. “We had Hampton Bays alumni, current and former coaches from the area and just general fans of wrestling come out to watch or participate. More recently, we’ve had juniors and seniors in 2019, now alumni, talking about being excited to come back now and participate in the tournament.

“One of the barriers to student opportunities for off-season wrestling and part of the reason to pursue this event had been the costs incurred for camps and clinics,” Lloyd continued. “When we held the tournament in 2019, we were successfully able to send eight kids to camp by heavily subsidizing those costs based on financial need. Making these opportunities reachable for our students and bringing people together from all over the wrestling community really makes the event.”

One of Lloyd’s assistant coaches, Dave Orlando, really spearheaded the movement to bring the Bald and Fat Classic, which has been setting up tournaments in the region for over 10 years now, to Hampton Bays, after attending one in Pearl River.

Most of the same aspects remain in place for this year’s event, although COVID protocols will be followed, if necessary. The rules of the tournament are pretty simple: all wrestlers must be a minimum of 18 years old and not currently competing in the Olympics or on an Olympic team. There is no weight allowance and singlets are preferred but not mandatory. No T-shirts and basketball shorts allowed, wrestling shoes and tight-fitting apparel must be worn, if not wearing a singlet. It is also a double-elimination tournament so everyone is guaranteed two matches. Matches will be officiated by experienced wrestlers and coaches.

There will be five divisions this year, all with apt descriptions: “Past My Prime, 25-35 years,” “Dead, 36–45 years,” “Fully Decomposed, 46–80 years,” “Tommy Toughnuts, 18 and over, and a women’s division “Joan of Arc.”

​The entry fee is $35 and must be received by 5 p.m. on April 29, the day prior to the tournament. Preregistered, paid wrestlers may weigh in Friday night or Saturday morning. Walk-ins will have to pay $40 cash only at the door either Friday night or the morning of the event. Admission for spectators is $8 for adults, $4 for students.

Those interested in registering, or for more information, go to baldandfatclassic.com.