Weight Classes in Wrestling: All You Need to Know!

Wrestling is a popular grappling martial art with different styles and weight classes.

This post covers the weight classes for adults and youth in Olympic and non-Olympic wrestling. Stay tuned!

Weight Classes in Wrestling

Wrestlers are classified according to their age and weight class. The most famous wrestling styles are Greco-Roman and Freestyle.

However, collegiate wrestling is gaining popularity, particularly in the United States.

So, we’ll try to give a detailed explication of the following wrestling weight classes:

• Freestyle wrestling weight classes

• Greco-Roman wrestling weight classes

• Folkstyle wrestling weight classes

Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes

• Men’s Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes

• Men’s Non-Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes

• Men’s International Freestyle Wrestling Weight Classes

• Women’s Non-Olympic Freestyle Wrestling

• Women’s International Freestyle Wrestling

Greco-Roman Wrestling Weight Classes

• Men’s Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling

• Men’s Non-Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling

• Men’s International Greco-Roman Wrestling

International Youth Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling Weight Divisions

• U15 Boys Wrestling Weight Classes

• Cadets Boys Wrestling Weight Classes

• Junior Boys Wrestling Weight Classes

• Girls U15 Wrestling Weight Classes

• Cadets Girls Wrestling Weight Classes

• Junior Girls Wrestling Weight Classes

Elementary School Wrestling Weight Classes

There are multiple ways of determining weight classes at this age:

• Madison system – no weight classes; the wrestlers are paired according to the weight at the weigh-in into brackets to discourage weight cutting at young athletes;

• Division-based system – separation by age and weight class at the tournament director’s discretion.

• Pure-weight-based system – age doesn’t matter; weight does – fighters are divided exclusively by weight.

Middle School Wrestling Weight Classes

It might vary from state to state, but we will focus on OHSAA weight classes:

• 80 lbs.

• 86 lbs.

• 92 lbs.

• 98 lbs.

• 104 lbs.

• 110 lbs.

• 116 lbs.

• 122 lbs.

• 128 lbs.

• 134 lbs.

• 142 lbs.

• 150 lbs.

• 160 lbs.

• 172 lbs.

• 205 lbs.

• 245 lbs.

High School Wrestling Weight Classes

Fourteen weight classes are set by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), but there are specific weight classes from state to state, we will focus on the general ones:

• 106 lbs.

• 113 lbs.

• 120 lbs.

• 126 lbs.

• 132 lbs.

• 138 lbs.

• 145 lbs.

• 152 lbs.

• 160 lbs.

• 170 lbs.

• 182 lbs.

• 195 lbs.

• 220 lbs.

Collegial Wrestling System Weight Classes

Collegiate wrestling is extremely popular in the United States of America.

It is probably the only federation where females can choose to fight under Greco-Roman rules.

First, let’s focus on the male divisions approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA):

• 125 lbs.

• 133 lbs.

• 141 lbs.

• 149 lbs.

• 157 lbs.

• 165 lbs.

• 174 lbs.

• 184 lbs.

• 197 lbs.

• Heavyweight (183 lbs to 285 lbs).

NCWA approves eight weight divisions for female competitors who pick Greco-Roman (collegiate) instead of freestyle ruleset:

• 105 lbs.

• 112 lbs.

• 121 lbs.

• 130 lbs.

• 139 lbs.

• 148 lbs.

• 159 lbs.

• 200 lbs.

Finally, WCWA uses freestyle wrestling rules instead of collegiate ones for females, and this organization offers ten weight divisions:

• 101 lbs.

• 109 lbs.

• 116 lbs.

• 123 lbs.

• 130 lbs.

• 136 lbs.

• 143 lbs.

• 155 lbs.

• 170 lbs.

• 191 lbs.

See Also: Kickboxing Weight Classes: All You Need to Know!

Conclusion

Knowing the weight classes in wrestling is essential for athletes and fans.

It helps you appreciate the skill and discipline required at each level and sets realistic goals for young wrestlers.

With detailed knowledge of each weight class, participants can better prepare for competitions, tailor their training programs, and strive for excellence in this challenging sport.