Repechage
A second-chance round that lets some competitors beaten earlier still qualify for the medal stages.
Definition
A repechage is an additional round that gives athletes who lost earlier a further opportunity to advance, most often so those beaten by an eventual finalist are not unfairly denied a shot at a medal. It is a familiar feature of rowing and canoeing, where crews that miss direct qualification from their heat race again for the remaining places, and of combat sports such as judo and wrestling.
In combat-sport repechage, competitors who lost to a finalist are typically brought back to contest the bronze medals, so the podium reflects genuine strength rather than the luck of the draw. The exact rules vary by sport and event, but the principle is the same: a structured second chance built into the qualification pathway.
Where you’ll hear “repechage”
Sports that use this term:
Rowing
A rhythmic, full-body endurance sport on the water or on an indoor machine.
Judo
A grappling martial art based on throws, holds and control, practised on mats with a partner.
Wrestling
A grappling sport of takedowns and control where two athletes compete to pin or out-position each other.
Cycling
A low-impact endurance sport that doubles as transport, exercise and adventure.
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Training plans
- General Fitness WeekA balanced example week that mixes some cardio, a little strength and gentle mobility for well-rounded, all-round fitness.
- Beginner Full-Body WeekA general example of a simple full-body week that spreads a push, a pull, a lower-body movement and some core evenly across three unhurried sessions.