Freestyle wrestling authorizes leg holds in the execution of every action.

Freestyle wrestling developed in Great-Britain and in the United States under the name of catch-as-catch-can and became the favourite attraction in fairs and popular celebrations during the 19th century. The goal of this discipline was to bring the adversary’s shoulder to the ground and almost all holds were allowed. Wrestling in the United States was an extremely popular sport, and about half a dozen American presidents practised it: George Washington, Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Grant, Andrew Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, etc. Freestyle wrestling was introduced for the first time in the Saint Louis Olympic Games in 1904. All 40 wrestlers who participated were of American nationality. Competition rules were similar to those of catch-as-catch-can, with some restrictions concerning dangerous holds. The division of weight categories (47,6 kg, 52,2 kg, 56,7 kg, 61,2 kg, 65,3 kg, 71,7 kg et + 71,7kg) was an important innovation since wrestling competitions took place in a unique category.

At present, free style wrestling counts seven weight categories:

• 55 kg, 60 kg, 66 kg, 74 kg, 84 kg, 96kg and 120 kg

According to the ranking of the last World Cup of freestyle wrestling, the leading countries in this style are: Azerbaijan, Iran R.I., Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia, Cuba, and Uzbekistan. 

Licence and insurance: The FILA licence is mandatory for all international Freestyle competitions with more than two participating countries. Every international competition shall be anounced to FILA and added to its official calendar. The FILA insurance will only apply to competitions which appear in its calendar. The FILA licence allows its holder to take part in all wrestling styles ruled by FILA, i.e. Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Female wrestling, Beach wrestling, Grappling, Belt wrestlnig, and Pangration Athlima.
 Insurance for the wrestlers

 Click here to download the last rules of Wrestling