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Wrestling could lay claim to being the oldest sport in human history, and was among the handful of sports that had featured in the inaugural edition of the modern Olympics in 1896. read more
 "Wrestling - history, rules, defending champions")
USA’s Kyle Frederick Snyder competes against Russian Olympic Committee’s Abdulrashid Sadulaev in the men's freestyle 97kg final during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Reuters
Wrestling could very well lay claim to being the ‘oldest sport in the world’ with belt wrestling — the earliest form of the sport — finding mention in works of art from the ancient civilisations of Babylonia and Egypt dating back to 3000 BCE. There have been records of loose wrestling, on which the modern version of the sport is based, before 1500 BCE in ancient India with the sport later finding its way to China and Japan.
It was the most popular sport in ancient Greece, and as such was an attraction in the Olympic Games that began in the 8th century BCE. Illustrations of the sport can be found in numerous Greek vases and coins originating from all periods of ancient Greece. The sport was also present in ancient Rome, though not as popular as it was among the Greeks.
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What is interesting is the holds shown in the ancient depictions of the sport are still in use today.
Modern wrestling, meanwhile, originated in 18th century England and was mainly limited to a procession of wrestlers or strongmen appearing at fairs, theatres and in circuses. The second half of the 19th century would witness the emergence of two disciplines — Greco-Roman and Freestyle.
What is wrestling’s history at Olympics?
Wrestling has been around in the Olympics for more than a century, having made its debut in the inaugural edition, hosted in Athens in 1896. It would become a permanent Olympic sport in London 1908.
The sport, however, was limited to the Greco-Roman style in its early years, with Freestyle Wrestling making its debut in the 1904 Games in St Louis and becoming a permanent fixture starting with Antwerp 1920. Women’s freestyle would later be added to the programme in Athens 2004.
The erstwhile Soviet Union is the most successful nation in Olympic history with 116 medals, including 62 gold. USA have won the most medals overall — 142, including 57 gold — while Japan are the most successful in women’s wrestling with 15 of the 24 gold medals that have been awarded till date.
What are the rules?
Modern wrestling has two distinct styles — Freestyle and Greco-Roman. While the men’s event features both styles, women’s wrestling is limited to Freestyle.
In Greco-Roman wrestling, a competitor can use only his/her arms and upper body to initiate attacks, while Freestyle is a lot more open style that allows the use of legs, with competitors allowed to hold their opponents above or below the waist.
A bout takes place on a circular mat that are nine metres in diameter and is divided into two phases of three minutes each with an interval of 30 seconds. Wrestlers either win by a ‘fall’ — wherein a competitor pins his/her opponent’s shoulders to the mat for one second, with the referee signalling a fall by striking the mat with his/her hand. In case a fall doesn’t take place, a bout is decided on the basis of points awarded by the judges for manoeuvres that would have led to a fall.
Who are the reigning champions?
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg: Zaur Uguev, Russia.
65 kg: Takuto Otoguro, Japan.
74 kg: Zaurbek Sidakov, Russia.
86 kg: David Taylor, United States.
97 kg: Abdulrashid Sadulaev, Russia.
125 kg: Gable Steveson, United States.
Men’s Greco-Roman
60 kg: Luis Orta, Cuba.
67 kg: Mohammad Reza Geraei, Iran.
77 kg: Tamas Lorincz, Hungary.
87 kg: Zhan Beleniuk, Ukraine.
97 kg: Musa Evloev, Russia.
130 kg: Mijain Lopez, Cuba.
Women’s freestyle
50 kg: Yui Susaki, Japan.
53 kg: Mayu Mukaida, Japan.
57 kg: Risako Kawai, Japan.
62 kg: Yukako Kawai, Japan.
68 kg: Tamyra Mensah-Stock, United States.
76 kg: Aline Rotter-Focken, Germany.
How many athletes have qualified in wrestling?
As many as 290 wrestlers from 63 nations will be taking part in the Paris Olympics, including six Indians. With 15 members having qualified for the Games, USA will be the largest wrestling team in the French capital.
Who are the athletes to watch in wrestling?
Hassan Yazdani, Iran: Nicknamed “The Greatest,” Yazdani was a gold medalist at 74 kilograms in 2016. He lost to David Taylor in the gold medal match in the 86-kilogram division in Tokyo. Taylor isn’t competing in Paris, possibly clearing a way for Yazdani to return to the top.
Taha Akgul, Turkey: A 2016 gold medalist, Akgul was among those who lost to American Gable Steveson at the Tokyo Games. He beat Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili, the silver medalist in Tokyo, at the European Championships earlier this year. With Steveson not returning, Akgul could emerge victorious in the 125-kilogram class.
Kennedy Blades, United States: The dynamic 20-year-old beat Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Adeline Gray at the U.S. trials and is competing in the women’s 76-kilogram freestyle division.
Helen Maroulis, United States: She is aiming to become the first American women’s wrestler to win three Olympic medals. She won gold in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo and is competing in the 57-kilogram division in Paris.
Mijain Lopez, Cuba: At age 41, he seeks a record fifth gold medal as a heavyweight in Greco-Roman. He became the first wrestler to win four gold medals when he dominated in Tokyo.
When and where will wrestling take place at Paris Olympics?
Competition starts 5 August and gold medal matches are scheduled from 7-11 August. The wrestling event will take place at the Champ de Mars Arena in Paris.
With AP inputs
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English (US) ·