What are the weight classes in freestyle wrestling?
I · Intermediate · Competition, officials and the mat · 7 of 8Senior freestyle has ten weight classes for men, from 57 kg to 125 kg, and women's wrestling has ten, from 50 kg to 76 kg. The Olympic Games use six of each. Wrestlers are weighed in their singlet on the morning of competition, and again on the second morning if they are still in the event.
How it works
| Seniors, under-23 and under-20 (kg) | Olympic Games (kg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Freestyle | 57, 61, 65, 70, 74, 79, 86, 92, 97, 125 | 57, 65, 74, 86, 97, 125 |
| Women's wrestling | 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, 62, 65, 68, 72, 76 | 50, 53, 57, 62, 68, 76 |
Each figure is the upper limit. Under-17 and under-15 wrestlers have their own lighter tables.
- A wrestler competes in one category only: the one matching their weight at the official weigh-in.
- Seniors and under-23s may choose the next category above their body weight. The heaviest category is the exception: a wrestler must weigh over 97 kg for men's freestyle and over 72 kg for women's wrestling.
- The weigh-in is held on the morning of each day of the category. The first, with the medical check, lasts 30 minutes. The second, for wrestlers in the repechage and finals, lasts 15 minutes.
- Wrestlers weigh in wearing the singlet, with no allowance for it, and may step on the scale as often as they like during the session.
- A 2 kg tolerance is allowed at World Cups, Ranking Series events and international tournaments.
- A wrestler who misses or fails either weigh-in is eliminated and ranked last, and the opponent wins by forfeit.
- Fingernails must be cut very short.
Tricky cases
Can a wrestler enter a heavier category than their weight?
Yes. Seniors and under-23s may opt for the next category up, apart from the minimum weight for the heaviest category.
A wrestler made weight on day one and reached the final. Do they weigh in again?
Yes. Every wrestler in the repechage and finals is weighed again on the second morning.
Is anything allowed for the weight of the singlet?
No. The rules allow no tolerance for the singlet.
Why the rule exists
Weight decides a great deal in a sport of lifting and holding another body. Categories match wrestlers of similar size, and the second weigh-in limits how much weight a wrestler can cut and put back.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UWW rules, freestyle | As above | W 7; W 11 |
| Olympic Games and their qualifying tournaments | Six categories | W 7 |
| World Cups, Ranking Series, international tournaments | A 2 kg tolerance | W 8 |
| Greco-Roman | 55 kg to 130 kg, with Olympic categories of 60, 67, 77, 87, 97 and 130 kg | W 7 |
From the rule book
United World Wrestling International Wrestling Rules, Articles 7, 8, 11 and 13. Edition dated January 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UWW International Wrestling Rules (PDF).