What Are the 3 Types of Wrestling

Wrestling is one of the oldest and most respected sports worldwide. With a rich and long history, wrestling is played worldwide. In professional wrestling, the 3 main categories are popular worldwide. All three sports have different rules and regulations. Understanding the depth of the three types of wrestling is essential for every athlete, fan, and beginner. Let’s delve into What Are the 3 Types of Wrestling to know their rules and regulations, and popularity worldwide.

What Are the 3 Types of Wrestling?

Greco-Roman Wrestling

Greco-Roman wrestling is a traditional Olympic sport. In this type of wrestling, athletes can only use their upper body and arms for throws, holds, and maneuvers. Any attack on the lower body is prohibited. This sport mainly focuses on strength, balance, and upper-body technique.

Freestyle Wrestling

Freestyle wrestling is also one of the famous Olympic sports. Athletes can use their upper and lower bodies in freestyle for offense and defense. Leg-attacks, sweeps, and trips are common, making these sports more dynamic than Greco-Roman Wrestling.

Folkstyle Wrestling

Folkstyle wrestling is mainly played in the USA, especially in schools and colleges. It emphasizes control over the opponent, and the player gets points for dominance. Unlike other wrestling sports, this wrestling is mainly focused on power and strategy.

While Greco-Roman and Freestyle Wrestling are classic Olympic sports, Freestyle is more famous in the USA. America has produced many international players in freestyle wrestling. Each form of wrestling demands different skills, techniques, and strategies, offering unique challenges for athletes.

Understanding what the 3 types of wrestling are not only helps to appreciate the sport’s diversity. It also highlights the cultural and competitive differences that have shaped wrestling into a fascinating sport today.

Gerco-Roman Wrestling

Greco-Roman wrestling is one of the oldest and respected types of wrestling. The origin of Greco-Roman wrestling is found in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. This form of wrestling emphasizes the skills and power of the upper body, reflecting its classical heritage. In Greco-Roman wrestling, athletes are prohibited from using or attacking any part of the lower body.

These rules heavily rely on throws, locks, and clinch work to gain an advantage. Mastering body control, leverage, and balance is crucial in this form of wrestling. The primary focus is executing high-aptitude throws, lifting opponents on the mat, and exposing their back to get points.

Gerco-Roman wrestling has a rich history started in the modern Olympics in 1896. It remained a cornerstone for many wrestlers to attract elite athletes from all over the world. The style emphasizes strength, endurance, and technical skills, making it both physically demanding.

For many experts, Greco-Roman wrestling is the purest form of wrestling. This is because it honors the legacy of ancient warriors. Therefore, this sport is respected worldwide and has a special place in wrestling fans’ hearts.

Freestyle Wrestling

Freestyle wrestling is a fast-paced and modern form of wrestling. It was started in the 19th century and gained popularity all over the world. It evolves from a catch-as-catch-can style. Therefore, it emphasizes versatility and adaptability in grappling techniques. Over the years, it has become a formalized sport with specific rules and regulations. Consequently, it became one of the two wrestling styles featured in the Olympics.

Rules are more flexible in freestyle wrestling than in Greco-Roman wrestling. Wrestlers can attack both the upper and lower body, which opens the door for new and versatile techniques. It includes leg grabs, sweeps, and trips, making it a more versatile sport than Greco-Roman wrestling.

The ability to use leg maneuvers adds excitement and unpredictability in these sports. Scoring in Freestyle depends upon the control and technique. Points are rewarded for takedowns, where wrestlers bring their opponent to the mat. The points are also granted for exposure, which involves turning the opponent’s back towards the mat.

On reversal, the defensive player gains control, scores points, and escapes from specific holds. This system encourages constant action and rewards for technical skill. Free-style wrestling made its debut in the 1904 Olympics for men.

After 100 years, women’s freestyle was introduced at the 2004 Olympics. Today, it is practiced worldwide from the grassroots level to elite international championships. With excellent skills, speed, and creativity, Freestyle wrestling continues to become more popular among athletes and fans.

Folkstyle wrestling

American-born Folkstyle wrestling is also known as Collegiate Wrestling. It is mainly played in schools, colleges, and universities all across the United States of America. Its origin dates back to the early 20th century when American wrestlers adapted techniques from various international styles.

Unlike international wrestling sports, Folkstyle emphasizes control, positioning, and dominance over opponents. The key rule of folkstyle wrestling is to control the opponent for an extended period. This unique feature, called riding time, rewards wrestlers who keep their opponent on the mat without allowing an escape. Sustained control and the ability to prevent an opponent from reversing position are also equal.

Unlike Olympic sports, leg attacks, trips, and holds are allowed above and below the waist in folkstyle wrestling. However, the primary focus remains keeping control rather than executing quick throws. Scoring in folkstyle includes takedowns, escapes, reversals, and near-falls. This style encourages a blend of technique, endurance, and strategy.

Competitive folkstyle wrestling is popular in the NCAA tournaments (National Collegiate Athletic Association). These tournaments showcase one of the country’s top-class wrestlers. Many wrestlers with brilliant folkstyle talents transitioned into Greco-Roman or Freestyle wrestling. Many wrestlers made a massive name for themselves and transitioned their careers from folkstyle to these two forms of wrestling.

Conclusion

These are the top 3 forms of wrestling popular worldwide. Gerco-Roman prohibited lower-body involvement, making it an actual test of throws and punches. Freestyle is a more dynamic and fast-paced wrestling sport compared to Greco-Roman. It uses both the upper and lower body to make it more dynamic and versatile. Folkstyle mainly played in American schools, colleges, and universities. It primarily focuses on control, riding time, and strategic scoring. Each style demands different skills, techniques, and tactical thinking. Whether you are exploring these three styles deepens your appreciation for wrestling’s athleticism, history, and competitive spirit. Check out the oldest wrestler who played that sport.