The premier wrestling event of the season has traditionally been held in late August or early September, but will now be moved back.

The change comes as part of the recently approved 2018 and 2019 competition calendars, which saw minor adjustments in a bid to "optimise viewership and increase participation".

The calendar also sought to accommodate quadrennial Games such as the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and the 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima.

"We are looking forward to the 2018 and 2019 seasons and think the calendar gives our wrestlers and fans many options to get involved with the sport," said UWW President Nenad Lalovic.

"We must always stay aware of our partners’ needs and any potential scheduling conflict with other sports."

As part of the shift, the Wrestling World Cup - wrestling’s annual team-based competition - will be held after the World Championships, near to the end of the calendar year.

The 2018 Cadet Continental Championships will also be moved to earlier in the year to ensure athletes can qualify from their respective regions in time for the Youth Olympic Games in Buneos Aires, which will be held in October.

Budapest has been awarded the rights to stage the 2018 UWW World Championships, one of the events affected by the changes.

The Hungarian capital, a candidate to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, was chosen by UWW's Executive Committee to hold the flagship competition.

It will mark a swift return to Budapest for the Championships, with the event last held in the city in 2013.

The 2019 Championships have yet to be awarded.