Greco-Roman Wrestling Weight Classes (A Closer Look)

Greco-Roman wrestling is a well-known fighting sport that originated thousands of years ago in ancient Greece. It currently competes in the Olympics, world championships, and collegiate competitions where Greco-Roman wrestlers participate in different weight classes.

Here are the various Greco-Roman Wrestling weight divisions:

  • 55 kg (121 lbs) – international.
  • 60 kg (132 lbs) – Olympic, international.
  • 63 kg (139 lbs) – international.
  • 67 kg (148 lbs) – Olympic, international.
  • 72 kg (159 lbs) – international.
  • 77 kg (170 lbs) – Olympic, international.
  • 82 kg (181 lbs) – international.
  • 87 kg (192 lbs) – Olympic, international.
  • 97 kg (214 lbs) – Olympic, international.
  • 130 kg (287 lbs) – Olympic, international.

Continue reading to learn more about the diverse weight divisions in Greco-Roman Wrestling. Stay tuned!

International Greco-Roman Wrestling Weight Classes

Greco-Roman is a fantastic Wrestling type that dates back to ancient Greece and Rome when it was a popular form of entertainment. But, the present version of this Wrestling sport was developed in France in the early 19th century.

And nowadays, Greco-Roman wrestling is a global sport in which competitors worldwide compete at the highest levels. It is a male-only discipline governed by the United World Wrestling (UWW).

The UWW has several international and Greco-Roman World Wrestling Championships. Athletes from Russia, Turkey, and the united states, among the best wrestlers, compete to win medals in several weight classes.

Ten weight classes in Greco-Roman Wrestling are recognized by the United World Wrestling (UWW). They range from 55 kilograms (121 pounds) to 130 kilograms (287 pounds), as mentioned in the following table:

Greco-Roman Wrestling weight classes in kilogramsGreco-Roman Wrestling weight classes in pounds
55 kg121 lbs
60 kg132 lbs
63 kg139 lbs
67 kg148 lbs
72 kg159 lbs
77 kg170 lbs
82 kg181 lbs
87 kg192 lbs
97 kg214 lbs
130 kg287 lbs

International Youth Greco-Roman Wrestling Weight Divisions

As shown below, Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling have the same weight classes for youth wrestlers.

U15 Boys International Weight Divisions in Greco-Roman 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.

Those weight categories range in weight from 34 kilograms (75 pounds) to 85 kilograms (187 pounds), as seen below.

U15 boys international Greco-Roman Wrestling weight classes in kilogramsU15 boys international Greco-Roman 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 Greco-Roman Wrestling

United World Wrestling (UWW) has eleven cadets’ weight divisions for youth male wrestlers aged 17, 16, and 15 with medical certification and parental approval.

Those weight categories range in weight from 41 kilograms (90 pounds) to 110 kilograms (243 pounds), as noticed below.

Cadets boys international Greco-Roman wrestling weight categories in kilogramsCadets boys international Greco-Roman 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 Greco-Roman Wrestling

United World Wrestling (UWW) uses eleven junior weight divisions for youth male wrestlers aged 20, 19, 18, and 17 with a medical certificate and parental permission.

Those weight categories range in weight from 57 kilograms (126 pounds) to 125 kilograms (276 pounds), as witnessed below.

Juniors boys international Greco-Roman wrestling weight classes in kilogramsJuniors boys international Greco-Roman 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

Females U15 International Weight Categories in Greco-Roman 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.

Those weight categories range in weight from 29 kilograms (64 pounds) to 66 kilograms (146 pounds), as seen below.

Girls U15 international Greco-Roman wrestling weight divisions in kilogramsGirls U15 international Greco-Roman 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 Females International Weight Categories in Greco-Roman 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.

Those weight categories range in weight from 36 kilograms (79 pounds) to 73 kilograms (161 pounds), as noticed below.

Cadets girls international Greco-Roman wrestling weight classes in kilogramsCadets girls international Greco-Roman 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

Juniors females International Weight Classes in Greco-Roman 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.

Those weight categories range in weight from 50 kilograms (110 pounds) to 76 kilograms (168 pounds), as witnessed below.

Juniors girls international Greco-Roman wrestling weight divisions in kilogramsJuniors girls international Greco-Roman 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 Greco-Roman Wrestling Weight Classes

Greco-Roman wrestling is a kind of wrestling included in the current Olympic Games. It is a wrestling style based on ancient Greek and Roman wrestling methods, and the ban of grips below the waist distinguishes it.

In 1896, Greco-Roman wrestling was included in the Olympic Games since the first modern Games in Athens. And it is now one of the most popular and competitive martial arts sports in the Olympic Games.

Aside from that, Greco-Roman is a male-only Olympic competition where men wrestle in weight classes ranging from 60 kg (132 lbs) to 130 kg (287 lbs), as mentioned in the following table.

Greco-Roman wrestling Olympic weight classes in kilogramGreco-Roman wrestling Olympic weight classes in pounds
60 kg132 lbs
67 kg148 lbs
77 kg170 lbs
87 kg192 lbs
97 kg214 lbs
130 kg287 lbs

Related Article: Martial Arts at Paris 2024 Olympics (A Closer Look)

Conclusion

Greco-Roman wrestling is a beautiful worldwide combat sport that dates back to ancient Greece, but its modern version was created in France in the early nineteenth century.

Wrestlers participate in high-level Greco-Roman international tournaments, including the World Wrestling Championships, the Olympic Summer Games, etc. And to ensure fair competition, athletes are divided into several weight divisions.

Ten Greco-Roman wrestling weight classes are recognized by the United World Wrestling Federation (UWW). They range from 55 kilograms (121 pounds) to 130 kilograms (287 pounds), as shown below:

  • 55 kg (121 lbs)
  • 60 kg (132 lbs)
  • 63 kg (139 lbs)
  • 67 kg (148 lbs)
  • 72 kg (159 lbs)
  • 77 kg (170 lbs)
  • 82 kg (181 lbs)
  • 87 kg (192 lbs)
  • 97 kg (214 lbs)
  • 130 kg (287 lbs)

This article has helped you learn about the different Greco-Roman Wrestling weight classes; please share it with your friends.

Related Article: Is Wrestling an Olympic Sport? (A Closer Look)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Females Compete in Greco-Roman Wrestling?

Females currently do not compete in Greco-Roman wrestling in the Olympic Games or any international competitions under the United World Wrestling (UWW).

Greco-Roman wrestling restricts the use of hold below the waist, and it is a type of international combat sport contested only by men.

Even though women’s wrestling is a growing sport, ladies compete in freestyle and beach wrestling at the Olympic Games and international competitions.

Which Is More Difficult to Learn: Greco-Roman or Freestyle Wrestling?

Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling are both challenging sports that need a mix of strength, speed, endurance, and technical expertise. But, Greco-Roman is more complex to learn due to the different rules and restrictions.

The prohibition of holds below the waist in Greco-Roman wrestling means that wrestlers must rely on upper-body tactics like throws, lifts, and arm drags to gain points and win bouts.

As a result, great strength, power, and explosiveness are required in Greco-Roman wrestling, as well as superb technique and balance.

On the other hand, freestyle wrestling allows for the use of holds and techniques from all body regions, including the legs. As a result, wrestlers must be able to fight against and counter attacks from all body areas, which adds another layer of complexity to the sport.

As a result, freestyle wrestling is a faster-paced fighting combat sport, with fighters constantly switching quick grips and counter-holds.

Related Article: Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes (A Closer Look)

References