Women’s Wrestling Weight Classes (A Closer Look)

Wrestling dates back thousands of years to ancient Greece and is now one of the most well-known Olympic Combat Sports. Nowadays, Women’s Wrestling is a rapidly expanding sport with a long and illustrious history and an exciting tournament scene that employs various weight classes.

Weight divisions are a significant factor in all levels of women’s Wrestling, from high school and collegiate competition in the United States to international contests governed by the United World Wrestling.

Here are the ten women’s international wrestling weight categories:

  • 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)

This blog post will take you in-depth into the women’s wrestling weight divisions, including the weight limits and how they are determined. So let’s get started!

What Are the International Women’s Wrestling Weight Classes?

Wrestling for women has a long history, with evidence of female wrestlers dating back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece. Today, female Wrestling has gained more clout and popularity, thanks to the massive efforts of the United World Wrestling (UWW).

Women compete primarily in college and freestyle wrestling in top international championships with outstanding results.

Women’s Wrestling, like men’s, consists of physical activity between two opponents attempting to gain control and pin their opponent to the mat. Indeed, Women are divided into many Weight classes to ensure that the contest is fair and evenly balanced.

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 wrestling weight classes in kilogramsWomen’s wrestling weight classes 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
Source: Women’s Wrestling

What Are the Women’s Wrestling Olympic Weight Divisions?

Women’s Wrestling debuted in Freestyle at the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens in 2004. On the other hand, men’s Wrestling has been contested in the Games since Athens in 1896.

Freestyle wrestling is one of the most exciting and physically demanding Olympic combat sports. It attracts female wrestlers from all over the world and is well-liked by fans of all ages.

In the Olympic freestyle wrestling event, women wrestlers participate in a single-elimination tournament to determine the gold, silver, and bronze medalists in each weight class.

There are six weight classes in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Olympics, ranging from 50 kilograms (110 pounds) to 76 kilos (168 pounds), as mentioned in the following table.

Women’s Olympic wrestling weight classes in kilogramsWomen’s Olympic wrestling weight classes in pounds
50 kg110 lbs
53 kg117 lbs
57 kg126 lbs
62 kg137 lbs
68 kg150 lbs
76 kg168 lbs

Aside from that, Wrestling was one of the first Olympic martial arts to attain gender equality in competition, with men and women competing in the same weight categories and receiving the same number of gold medals.

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

What Are the Youth Women’s Wrestling Weight classes?

Youth women’s Wrestling is a developing and fascinating sport that allows young female athletes to compete and improve their abilities on the mat.

Youth female wrestlers develop stable physical and mental health since the sport involves excellent discipline, strength, and quickness.

Furthermore, Wrestling teaches essential life qualities like collaboration, sportsmanship, and goal planning. In addition, it may give young women a sense of empowerment and confidence that can carry over into other aspects of their lives.

Wrestling programs for females are provided in many schools and community groups, and there are also club teams and competitions for those looking to flourish in grappling matches.

But, women players must find a strong coach or mentor who can assist them in understanding the principles of the sport. Also, they must understand the various youth wrestling weight classes, among other rules.

Here are the various youth female wrestling weight classes for international competitions hosted by the United World Wrestling (UWW).

U15 Female Wrestling Weight Categories

Female wrestlers aged 15, 14, and 13 with a medical certificate and parental permission have ten U15 weight divisions. They vary in weight from 29 kilograms (64 pounds) to 66 kilograms (146 pounds), as seen below.

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 Female Wrestling Weight Categories

Female youth wrestlers aged 17, 16, and 15 with medical certification and parental approval have eleven cadets’ weight divisions approved by United World Wrestling (UWW). They vary in weight from 36 kilograms (79 pounds) to 73 kilograms (161 pounds), as noticed below.

Cadets girls wrestling weight classes in kilogramsCadets girls 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 Females Wrestling Weight Classes

Female youth wrestlers aged 20, 19, 18, and 17 with a medical certificate and parental permission have eleven junior weight divisions approved by United World Wrestling (UWW). They vary from 50 kilograms (110 pounds) to 76 kilograms (168 pounds), as witnessed below.

Junior girls wrestling weight divisions in kilogramsJunior girls 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

What Are the Various Weight Classes for Women’s Collegiate Wrestling?

Women’s collegiate Wrestling is a developing and exciting sport that allows female athletes to participate at the university level. Women’s college wrestlers, like men’s, are separated into weight classes to promote fairness and safety for all athletes.

The NCWA features eight weight classes for its female student wrestlers, based on collegiate regulations rather than the freestyle ruleset used in NCAA women’s wrestling.

NCWA Women’s Weight classes in lbsNCWA Women’s Weight classes in kg
105 lbs47.6 kg
112 lbs50.8 kg
121 lbs54.9 kg
130 lbs59 kg
139 lbs63 kg
148 lbs67.1 kg
159 lbs72.1 kg
200 lbs90.7 kg

Another regulatory organization for women’s collegiate Wrestling is the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA). It uses ten weight divisions for female student wrestlers based on freestyle rules (NCAA-recognized) instead of collegiate regulations.

WCWA Women’s Weight classes in lbsWCWA Women’s Weight classes in lbs
101 lbs45.8 kg
109 lbs49.4 kg
116 lbs52.6 kg
123 lbs55.8 kg
130 lbs59 kg
136 lbs61.7 kg
143 lbs64.8 kg
155 lbs70.3 kg
170 lbs77.1 kg
191 lbs86.6 kg

Conclusion

Women’s Wrestling is a fast-growing sport with prominent and exciting Olympic and international tournaments that include various weight classes.

Weight classes are essential in women’s Wrestling because they allow for fair and competitive fights between athletes of similar size and weight.

Understanding the various weight classes and their significance is crucial whether you are a collegiate or world-level athlete, a coach, or an organization looking to promote and support the growth of women’s Wrestling.

Source: Women’s Wrestling

Related Article: Weight Classes in Wrestling (All You Need to Know!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Olympics Have Women’s Wrestling?

Women’s Wrestling has been a component of the Olympics since 2004 at the Athens Summer Games.

Female Wrestling has become a popular and thrilling Olympic event, with many bright and competent athletes battling for gold and the opportunity to represent their country on the world’s most significant stage.

How Many Weight Classes Are There in Women’s Wrestling at the Olympics?

Women wrestlers compete in six weight classes at the Olympics, the same number as men.

  • 50 kg (110 lbs)
  • 53 kg (117 lbs)
  • 57 kg (126 lbs)
  • 62 kg (137 lbs)
  • 68 kg (150 lbs)
  • 76 kg (168 lbs)