Female Wrestling

Female wrestling is similar to freestyle wrestling, but it forbids double head locks (double Nelsons) which are dangerous for women.

Amateur female wrestling was first practised in France and Scandinavian countries in the 80s. At the beginning, both styles experienced a certain evolution, but in the end it was a mere copy of freestyle wrestling. It was managed by a special FILA committee, under the direction of Michel Dusson (1984). The first World Championship of female wrestling was held in Lorenskog (Norway) in 1987. Female wrestling was admitted for the first time in the Olympic programme on the occasion of the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

At present, female style wrestling counts seven weight categories:

• 48 kg, 51 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 63 kg, 67kg and 72 kg.

Only four categories are in the Olympic program:

• 48kg, 55kg, 63 kg and 72kg.

Reference: Above information is direct quotation from FILA-Wrestling website