The Summer Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 will include 28 sports, including five martial arts disciplines: boxing, fencing, judo, taekwondo, and wrestling.
Martial arts have a long history and were among the original Olympic sports, dating back to Ancient Greece.
This post provides the most comprehensive list of Olympic martial arts. Stay tuned!
Martial Arts Featured in the 2024 Paris Olympics
Martial arts have been contested in every Olympic Games since the first Olympic competition in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
The first Olympics included nine sports, including two martial arts disciplines: fencing and wrestling (Greco-Roman).
The 2024 Olympics will include five martial arts sports, as detailed below:
Judo
Judo is a famous Olympic martial art that evolved from Jigoro Kano’s jujitsu martial art in the 1880s.
Over 2 million judokas worldwide practice this sport, with black belts being more common in Asia and colored belts being more common in Europe.
Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964 and has been a part of the games ever since. Women’s Judo became an official Olympic event in 1992.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will feature 372 judokas competing for 15 gold medals in various weight classes.
| Men’s Olympic Judo Weight Divisions | Women’s Olympic Judo Weight Divisions |
|---|---|
| – 60 kg | – 48 kg |
| – 66 kg | – 52 kg |
| – 73 kg | – 57 kg |
| – 81 kg | – 63 kg |
| – 90 kg | – 70 kg |
| – 100 kg | – 78 kg |
| + 100 kg | +78 kg |
Boxing
Boxing is a stand-up striking martial art sport contested in the Olympics since 1904, except in 1912. Women’s boxing was added in 2012.
Fights go for three rounds, with each round lasting three minutes. Five judges score the match, and the fighter with the most points wins.
Boxing will be held at the Roland-Garros stadium from July 27 to August 10 in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and 13 gold medals will be awarded in seven male and six female weight classes.
| Men’s Olympic Boxing Weight Classes | Women’s Olympic Boxing Weight Classes |
|---|---|
| – 51 kg | – 50 kg |
| – 57 kg | – 54 kg |
| – 63.5 kg | – 57 kg |
| – 71 kg | – 60 kg |
| – 80 kg | – 66 kg |
| – 92 kg | – 75 kg |
| + 92 kg |
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that involves various kicking and punching techniques.
It’s popular worldwide and has been an Olympic sport since 2000.
The 2024 Olympics will occur from August 7th to August 10th at The Grand Palais, with 128 participants fighting for eight gold medals.
| Men’s Olympic Taekwondo Weight Classes | Women’s Olympic Taekwondo Weight Classes |
|---|---|
| – 58 kg | – 49kg |
| – 68kg | – 57kg |
| – 80kg | – 67kg |
| + 80kg | + 67kg |
Wrestling
Wrestling is a popular, ancient grappling martial art that has been a part of the Olympics since 1896. Women’s wrestling was included in 2004.
According to Statista, over 26 million people have participated in wrestling in the US between 2006 and 2017.
Wrestling will be contested at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, featuring 18 Greco-Roman and freestyle events at the Champ de Mars Arena.
As of 2018, three weight classes are used in international wrestling competitions: men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling.
Men’s Freestyle Wrestling Olympic Weight Classes
- 57 kg (125 lbs)
- 65 kg (143 lbs)
- 74 kg (163 lbs)
- 86 kg (190 lbs)
- 97 kg (214 lbs)
- 125 kg (276 lbs)
Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling Olympic Weight Classes
- 60 kg (132 lbs)
- 67 kg (148 lbs)
- 77 kg (170 lbs)
- 87 kg (192 lbs)
- 97 kg (214 lbs)
- 130 kg (287 lbs)
Women’s Wrestling Olympic Weight Classes
- 50 kg (110 lbs)
- 53 kg (117 lbs)
- 57 kg (126 lbs)
- 62 kg (137 lbs)
- 68 kg (150 lbs)
- 76 kg (168 lbs)
Fencing
Fencing has been an Olympic sport since the Athens Games in 1896. The women’s Olympic fencing sport began in the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
Foil, epée, and saber are examples of fencing weapons. Fencing tournaments include both individual and team events.
Olympic Martial Arts Challenges and Controversies
The decision to include martial arts in the Olympics has been controversial.
One of the main issues is the subjective nature of the scoring systems used in sports like karate and boxing.
Political tensions can also impact athletes, with questions surrounding eligibility and nationality often emerging.
Additionally, the physical intensity of these sports raises concerns about doping and fair play, which international bodies have to address to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Olympic Martial Arts Cultural Impact and Legacy
Martial arts play a significant role in the cultural tapestry of the Olympics.
These sports showcase the athletes’ physical artistry and tactical genius while also promoting the philosophical and ethical aspects associated with these ancient practices.
The global platform of the Olympics enables these sports to foster greater understanding and appreciation across cultures, potentially inspiring a new generation to pursue them.
Conclusion
The 2024 Olympics in Paris is a significant event where countries compete in various sports, including martial arts.
The martial arts Olympic sports in the Paris Olympics are Taekwondo, Wrestling, Judo, Boxing, and Fencing.
