What is a "forfeit" in wrestling?

A "forfeit" in wrestling occurs when a wrestler does not compete in a scheduled match, resulting in an automatic victory for the opposing wrestler. This situation typically arises when a team does not have a wrestler available to fill a weight class or if a wrestler is unable to compete due to injury or other reasons. When this happens, the team that does not compete is penalized by awarding points to the opposing team, who receives the victory in that weight class. This can affect the overall team score significantly in competitive matches, making it a critical factor in wrestling team dynamics and strategies.