Freestyle wrestling is one of the oldest and most dynamic combat sports, with several weight classes.
A weight class plays a crucial role in this sport. It ensures that matches are fair and competitive by grouping wrestlers into categories based on their body weight.
Continue reading to learn more about the various weight classes in freestyle wrestling. Stay tuned!
History of Weight Classes in Freestyle Wrestling
The concept of weight classes in wrestling can be traced back to the ancient Olympic Games, where competitors were grouped by size to ensure fairness.
Modern freestyle wrestling began incorporating formal weight classes in the early 20th century as the sport became more structured and globally recognized.
Over the decades, these classes have evolved significantly in response to changes in average body sizes and to enhance competitiveness and safety.
For example, the FILA (now United World Wrestling) periodically adjusts weight categories to reflect these dynamics, aiming to optimize athletic performance and fairness.
Current Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes
Freestyle wrestling is a widely popular wrestling discipline with millions of fans worldwide.
It has been featured in college competitions and the summer Olympic Games for many years, with wrestlers divided into several weight categories.
Below are the major freestyle wrestling weight classes for men, last revised in 2018.
- 53 kg (115 lbs) – international.
- 57 kg (125 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 61 kg (134 lbs) – international.
- 65 kg (143 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 70 kg (154 lbs) – international.
- 74 kg (163 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 79 kg (174 lbs) – international.
- 86 kg (190 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 92 kg (203 lbs) – international.
- 97 kg (214 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 125 kg (276 lbs) – Olympic, international.
Here are the women’s freestyle wrestling weight classes:
- 50 kg (110 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 53 kg (117 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 55 kg (121 lbs) – international.
- 57 kg (126 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 59 kg (130 lbs) – international.
- 62 kg (137 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 65 kg (143. lbs) – international.
- 68 kg (150 lbs) – Olympic, international.
- 72 kg (159 lbs) – international.
- 76 kg (168 lbs) – Olympic, international.
International Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes
The following are weight categories in freestyle wrestling recognized by the United World Wrestling (UWW).
Men’s International Freestyle Wrestling Weight divisions
The United World Wrestling (UWW) employs 11 weight classes for male freestyle wrestlers in its competitions. They range from 53 kilograms (115 pounds) to 125 kilograms (275 pounds).
| Men’s international freestyle wrestling weight categories in kilograms | Men’s international freestyle wrestling weight categories in pounds |
| 53 kg | 115 lbs |
| 57 kg | 125 lbs |
| 61 kg | 134 lbs |
| 65 kg | 143 lbs |
| 70 kg | 154 lbs |
| 74 kg | 163 lbs |
| 79 kg | 174 lbs |
| 86 kg | 190 lbs |
| 92 kg | 203 lbs |
| 97 kg | 214 lbs |
| 125 kg | 276 lbs |
Women’s International Freestyle Wrestling Weight Categories
The United World Wrestling (UWW) employs ten weight classes for female freestyle wrestlers in its competitions. They range from 50 kilograms (110 pounds) to 76 kilograms (168 pounds).
| Women’s international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in kilograms | Women’s international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds |
| 50 kg | 110 lbs |
| 53 kg | 117 lbs |
| 55 kg | 121 lbs |
| 57 kg | 126 lbs |
| 59 kg | 130 lbs |
| 62 kg | 137 lbs |
| 65 kg | 143 lbs |
| 68 kg | 150 lbs |
| 72 kg | 159 lbs |
| 76 kg | 168 lbs |
Youth International Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes
U15 Boys International Weight Divisions in Freestyle Wrestling
United World Wrestling (UWW) has ten U15 weight divisions for male child wrestlers ages 15, 14, and 13 with a medical certificate and parental permission.
As seen below, those categories range in weight from 34 kilograms (75 pounds) to 85 kilograms (187 pounds).
| U15 Boys International Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes in kilograms | U15 Boys International Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes in pounds |
| 34 to 38 kg | 75 to 84 lbs |
| 41 kg | 90 lbs |
| 44 kg | 97 lbs |
| 48 kg | 106 lbs |
| 52 kg | 115 lbs |
| 57 kg | 126 lbs |
| 62 kg | 137 lbs |
| 68 kg | 150 lbs |
| 75 kg | 165 lbs |
| 85 kg | 187 lbs |
Cadets Boys International Weight Divisions in Freestyle Wrestling
United World Wrestling (UWW) has eleven cadets’ weight divisions for young male wrestlers aged 17, 16, and 15 with medical certification and parental approval.
As noticed below, those categories range in weight from 41 kilograms (90 pounds) to 110 kilograms (243 pounds).
| Cadets boys international freestyle wrestling weight categories in kilograms | Cadets boys international freestyle wrestling weight categories in pounds |
| 41 to 45 kg | 90 to 99 lbs |
| 48 kg | 106 lbs |
| 51 kg | 112 lbs |
| 55 kg | 121 lbs |
| 60 kg | 132 lbs |
| 65 kg | 143 lbs |
| 71 kg | 157 lbs |
| 80 kg | 176 lbs |
| 92 kg | 203 lbs |
| 110 kg | 243 lbs |
Juniors Boys International Weight Classes in Freestyle Wrestling
United World Wrestling (UWW) uses eleven junior weight divisions for young male wrestlers aged 20, 19, 18, and 17 with a medical certificate and parental permission.
As witnessed below, Those categories range in weight from 57 kilograms (126 pounds) to 125 kilograms (276 pounds).
| Juniors boys international freestyle wrestling weight classes in kilograms | Juniors boys international freestyle wrestling weight classes in pounds |
| 57 kg | 126 lbs |
| 61 kg | 134 lbs |
| 65 kg | 143 lbs |
| 70 kg | 154 lbs |
| 74 kg | 163 lbs |
| 79 kg | 174 lbs |
| 86 kg | 190 lbs |
| 92 kg | 203 lbs |
| 97 kg | 214 lbs |
| 125 kg | 276 lbs |
Girls U15 International Weight Categories in Freestyle Wrestling
United World Wrestling (UWW) has ten U15 weight divisions for female child wrestlers ages 15, 14, and 13 with a medical certificate and parental permission.
As seen below, those weight categories range from 29 kilograms (64 pounds) to 66 kilograms (146 pounds).
| Girls U15 international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in kilograms | Girls U15 international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds |
| 29 to 33 kg | 64 to 73 lbs |
| 36 kg | 79 lbs |
| 39 kg | 86 lbs |
| 42 kg | 93 lbs |
| 46 kg | 101 lbs |
| 50 kg | 110 lbs |
| 54 kg | 119 lbs |
| 58 kg | 128 lbs |
| 62 kg | 137 lbs |
| 66 kg | 146 lbs |
Cadets Girls International Weight Categories in Freestyle Wrestling
United World Wrestling (UWW) has eleven cadets’ weight divisions for female youth wrestlers aged 17, 16, and 15 with medical certification and parental approval.
As noticed below, those weight categories range from 36 kilograms (79 pounds) to 73 kilograms (161 pounds).
| Cadets girls international freestyle wrestling weight classes in kilograms | Cadets girls international freestyle wrestling weight classes in pounds |
| 36 to 40 kg | 79 to 88 lbs |
| 43 kg | 95 lbs |
| 46 kg | 101 lbs |
| 49 kg | 108 lbs |
| 53 kg | 117 lbs |
| 57 kg | 126 lbs |
| 61 kg | 134 lbs |
| 65 kg | 143 lbs |
| 69 kg | 152 lbs |
| 73 kg | 161 lbs |
Junior Girls International Weight Classes in Freestyle Wrestling
United World Wrestling (UWW) uses eleven junior weight divisions for female youth wrestlers aged 20, 19, 18, and 17 with a medical certificate and parental permission.
As witnessed below, those weight categories range from 50 kilograms (110 pounds) to 76 kilograms (168 pounds).
| Juniors girls international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in kilograms | Juniors girls international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds |
| 50 kg | 110 lbs |
| 53 kg | 117 lbs |
| 55 kg | 121 lbs |
| 57 kg | 126 lbs |
| 59 kg | 130 lbs |
| 62 kg | 137 lbs |
| 65 kg | 143 lbs |
| 68 kg | 150 lbs |
| 72 kg | 159 lbs |
| 76 kg | 168 lbs |
Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes
Freestyle wrestling is a thrilling and physically challenging sport that draws participants worldwide and is popular with viewers of all ages.
Men’s freestyle wrestling is one of the oldest Olympic combat sports, having competed in the Games since 1904. On the other hand, women’s freestyle wrestling had its debut at the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens in 2004.
In the freestyle wrestling Olympic tournament, wrestlers compete in a single-elimination to select each weight class’s gold, silver, and bronze medalists.
The following are Freestyle Wrestling Olympic weight divisions for men and women.
Men’s Freestyle Wrestling Olympic Weight Categories
There are now six weight classes in men’s freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games, ranging from 57 kilograms (125 pounds) to 125 kilograms (275 pounds).
| Men’s Olympic freestyle wrestling weight categories in kilograms | Men’s Olympic freestyle wrestling weight categories in pounds |
| 57 kg | 125 lbs |
| 65 kg | 143 lbs |
| 74 kg | 163 lbs |
| 86 kg | 190 lbs |
| 97 kg | 214 lbs |
| 125 kg | 276 lbs |
Women’s Freestyle Wrestling Olympic Weight Divisions
There are six weight classes in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games, ranging from 50 kilograms (110 pounds) to 76 kilos (168 pounds).
| Women’s Olympic freestyle wrestling weight divisions in kilograms | Women’s Olympic freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds |
| 50 kg | 110 lbs |
| 53 kg | 117 lbs |
| 57 kg | 126 lbs |
| 62 kg | 137 lbs |
| 68 kg | 150 lbs |
| 76 kg | 168 lbs |
So, wrestling was one of the first Olympic martial arts to achieve gender equality in competition, with the same number of weight categories and gold medals handed to men and women.
Weigh-In Procedures
Weigh-ins are critical to wrestling as they ensure that all competitors adhere to their declared weight classes.
Wrestlers typically weigh in the day before the competition, with allowances for minor weight fluctuations outlined in specific guidelines.
These procedures are strictly enforced to maintain fairness and prevent any advantages arising from weight discrepancies.
Conclusion
Freestyle wrestling is an exciting Olympic sport that draws thousands of competitors and spectators worldwide. It uses multiple weight classes in competitions for men, women, and youngsters.
A weight division ensures that wrestlers of all sizes can compete and demonstrate their skills reasonably on the sport’s grandest stage.
