Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes
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Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes – All You Need to Know!

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 kilogramsMen’s international freestyle wrestling weight categories in pounds
53 kg115 lbs
57 kg125 lbs
61 kg134 lbs
65 kg143 lbs
70 kg154 lbs
74 kg163 lbs
79 kg174 lbs
86 kg190 lbs
92 kg203 lbs
97 kg214 lbs
125 kg276 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 kilogramsWomen’s international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds
50 kg110 lbs
53 kg117 lbs
55 kg121 lbs
57 kg126 lbs
59 kg130 lbs
62 kg137 lbs
65 kg143 lbs
68 kg150 lbs
72 kg159 lbs
76 kg168 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 kilogramsU15 Boys International Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes in pounds
34 to 38 kg75 to 84 lbs
41 kg90 lbs
44 kg97 lbs
48 kg106 lbs
52 kg115 lbs
57 kg126 lbs
62 kg137 lbs
68 kg150 lbs
75 kg165 lbs
85 kg187 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 kilogramsCadets boys international freestyle wrestling weight categories in pounds
41 to 45 kg90 to 99 lbs
48 kg106 lbs
51 kg112 lbs
55 kg121 lbs
60 kg132 lbs
65 kg143 lbs
71 kg157 lbs
80 kg176 lbs
92 kg203 lbs
110 kg243 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 kilogramsJuniors boys international freestyle wrestling weight classes in pounds
57 kg126 lbs
61 kg134 lbs
65 kg143 lbs
70 kg154 lbs
74 kg163 lbs
79 kg174 lbs
86 kg190 lbs
92 kg203 lbs
97 kg214 lbs
125 kg276 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 kilogramsGirls U15 international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds
29 to 33 kg64 to 73 lbs
36 kg79 lbs
39 kg86 lbs
42 kg93 lbs
46 kg101 lbs
50 kg110 lbs
54 kg119 lbs
58 kg128 lbs
62 kg137 lbs
66 kg146 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 kilogramsCadets girls international freestyle wrestling weight classes in pounds
36 to 40 kg79 to 88 lbs
43 kg95 lbs
46 kg101 lbs
49 kg108 lbs
53 kg117 lbs
57 kg126 lbs
61 kg134 lbs
65 kg143 lbs
69 kg152 lbs
73 kg161 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 kilogramsJuniors girls international freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds
50 kg110 lbs
53 kg117 lbs
55 kg121 lbs
57 kg126 lbs
59 kg130 lbs
62 kg137 lbs
65 kg143 lbs
68 kg150 lbs
72 kg159 lbs
76 kg168 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 kilogramsMen’s Olympic freestyle wrestling weight categories in pounds
57 kg125 lbs
65 kg143 lbs
74 kg163 lbs
86 kg190 lbs
97 kg214 lbs
125 kg276 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 kilogramsWomen’s Olympic freestyle wrestling weight divisions in pounds
50 kg110 lbs
53 kg117 lbs
57 kg126 lbs
62 kg137 lbs
68 kg150 lbs
76 kg168 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.

See Also: Martial Arts in the Olympics 2024: All You Need to Know!

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.

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