Olympic wrestling, also known as freestyle, is a form of amateur wrestling, a combat sport and martial art practiced globally. Unlike other forms of combat, wrestling does not allow traumatic blows such as punches and kicks. Today you’ll meet the biggest names in wrestling today and learn more about the sport!
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Biggest names in Wrestling today: historical context
Wrestling is one of the oldest forms of combat, with references dating back to Homer’s Iliad, which narrates the Trojan War in the 13th and 12th centuries BC.
Its origins can be traced back to around 15,000 years ago through cave drawings in France.
Babylonian and Egyptian drawings show fighters using many of the techniques known in today’s sport.
Representations of fighters are found in Sumerian-Akkadian caves, dating back to 3000 BC, and also in wall paintings in tomb 15 in Beni Haçane, Egypt, dating back to 2400 BC.
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In ancient Greece, wrestling played an important role in legends and literature; Fighting competitions, often brutal, were the main sport of the Ancient Olympic Games, introduced in 708 BC, shortly after the Games’ historic start in 776 BC.
The Romans, heavily influenced by Greek fighting, eliminated many of its most brutal aspects.
During the Middle Ages (from the 5th century to the 15th century), wrestling maintained its popularity, receiving the patronage of several royal families in France, Japan and England.
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Early Americans brought with them a strong tradition of wrestling when they emigrated from England, and found the sport popular among Native Americans as well.
Amateur wrestling flourished in the early years of the United States, being a common activity at fairs, holiday celebrations, and military exercises.
The first organized wrestling tournament in the country took place in New York in 1888, while the first wrestling competition in the modern Olympic Games was held in 1904 in Saint Louis, Missouri.
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FILA was founded in the same year in Antwerp, Belgium. The first NCAA Wrestling Championships were held in 1912 in Ames, Iowa.
USA Wrestling, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, became the governing body for amateur wrestling in the US in 1983, organizing competitions for all age groups.
References to wrestling also appear in mythology. In the Mahabharata, there is a combat between Bhima and Jarasandha.
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In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh asserts his leadership after a fight with Enkidu. In Greek mythology, Zeus rises as ruler of Earth after fighting his father, Kronos, and both Hercules and Theseus are known for their combats against man and beast.
Wrestling in the Modern Olympics
Wrestling was present in the first edition of the Modern Olympic Games, in 1896, except in 1900.
Since 1920, both styles, freestyle and Greco-Roman, have been competed in the Olympics. Before that, with the exception of 1908, only the Greco-Roman style was used in the Games.
Today, Russia dominates world wrestling, especially in the Greco-Roman style. The United States is close technically in freestyle.
Other countries that produce great champions include Iran, Türkiye and Mongolia, where wrestling is the national sport.
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During preparations for the 1896 Athens Olympic Games, organizers considered wrestling so historically significant that it became a focus of that edition.
They recalled elements of the games from 708 BC, with fighters using oil on their bodies and fighting on the sand. The Greco-Roman style was considered a reincarnation of ancient Greco-Roman wrestling.
Eight years later, a second, less historic but very popular style was included.
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Known as “catch as catch can”, wrestling became a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century at events and festivals in England and the United States. Like Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling has become an icon of the Olympic Games.
In Greco-Roman wrestling competitions, dominated by Russia, wrestlers can only use their arms and torso to attack.
In wrestling, where the 1996 Olympic Games medalists represented seventeen different countries, wrestlers can use their legs and attack below the waist line.
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Biggest names in Wrestling today: rules
Wrestling is played on a circular mat measuring 9 meters in diameter. The fights are divided into two three-minute periods, with a 30-second break between them.
The objective is to knock the opponent down and pin them with their shoulders on the mat (pin) or accumulate more technical points.
Scoring criteria
- Pin: pinning the opponent on the mat with the shoulders for two seconds guarantees instant victory.
- Takedown: taking the opponent to the ground (2 to 5 points).
- Reversal: reverting a disadvantageous position to an advantageous one (1 point).
- Escape: escape from an opponent’s control position (1 point).
- Exposure: placing the opponent with their back to the mat, even temporarily (2 to 3 points).
- Penalties: punishments for infractions can award points to the opponent.
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Biggest names in Wrestling today (Men – World)
Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia)
Known as “The Russian Tank”, he is one of the biggest names in wrestling in the 97 kg category, with multiple world and Olympic titles.
Kyle Snyder (USA)
One of Sadulaev’s biggest rivals, he is an Olympic and world champion in the same category.
Biggest names in Luta Livre today (Women – World)
Tamyra Mensah-Stock (USA)
Olympic and world champion in the up to 68 kg category, known for her technique and strength.
Aisuluu Tynybekova (Kyrgyzstan)
World champion and one of the main competitors in the up to 62 kg category.
Biggest names in Wrestling today (Women – Brazil)
Aline Silva
Main name in women’s wrestling in Brazil, competitor in the 76 kg category, with several participations in international competitions.
Lais Nunes
A competitor in the up to 62 kg category, she is also one of Brazil’s main representatives in international competitions.
Biggest names in Luta Livre today (Men – Brazil)
Eduard Soghomonyan
Main name in men’s wrestling in Brazil, competitor in the 130 kg category, representing the country in international competitions.
Guilherme Lima
Prominent Brazilian competitor in the up to 86 kg category.
What athletes have the best chance of medals in Paris 2024?
Masculine
- Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Kyle Snyder are the main favorites in the 97 kg category, with a historic rivalry and a high level of performance in previous competitions.
- Eduard Soghomonyan is a hope for Brazil, seeking a good performance in the 130 kg category.
Feminine
- Tamyra Mensah-Stock is a strong contender for gold in the 68kg category, while Aisuluu Tynybekova is expected to compete for the top spot in the 62kg category.
- Aline Silva has the potential to surprise in the under-76 kg category, representing one of Brazil’s best chances in the women’s category.
Did you already know this sport? Now that you know who the biggest names in wrestling today are, get to know them:
