Guide Note

Wrestling made its debut at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.¹ Male wrestlers compete for medals in seven freestyle events and seven Greco-Roman events, while female wrestlers compete in four freestyle events.²

Fast Facts

1. Men's wrestling introduced at the 1896 Summer Olympics¹
2. Women's wrestling introduced at the 2004 Summer Olympics¹
3. Men's events: Seven freestyle, seven Greco-Roman²
4. Women's events: Four freestyle²
5. Governed by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles³

Wrestling events at the 2008 Summer Olympics were held from August 12 to August 21, 2008, at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium. Russia led all nations in wrestling medals, winning 11. Japan followed with six total medals, while the Ukraine and Kazakhstan won five each. The U.S. Olympic wrestling team won one gold and two bronze medals.⁴

Wrestling medals have been awarded to athletes at every Summer Olympics since 1896, with the exception of the 1900 Summer Games in Paris, France. Women's freestyle events were introduced at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece.¹

In Greco-Roman events, athletes are not allowed to use their legs for holds, lifts or to trip an opponent. Athletes also may not attack an opponent below the waist in Greco-Roman events. In freestyle events, athletes may use their entire bodies for attacks and holds.⁵

• <55 kg (<121 lbs)²
• 55-60 kg (121-132 lbs)²
• 60-66 kg (132-145.5 lbs)²
• 66-74 kg (145.5-163 lbs)²
• 74-84 kg (163-185 lbs)²
• 84-96 kg (185-211.5 lbs)²
• 96-120 kg (211.5-264.5 lbs)²

• <48 kg (105.5 lbs)²
• 48-55 kg (105.5-121 lbs)²
• 55-63 kg (121-138.5 lbs)²
• 63-72kg (138.5-158.5 lbs)²

Summer Olympics 2008 | US Olympic Wrestling 2008 | Wrestling | Olympics | Summer Olympics