Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world. Cave drawings in France and tomb paintings in Egypt show wrestling thousands of years ago, and wrestling was a key event in the ancient Greek Olympic Games from 708 BC. Modern Greco-Roman appeared at the first modern Olympics in 1896, and freestyle followed in 1904.
Key dates
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Prehistory | Cave art suggests early grappling |
| c. 2000 BC | Beni Hasan tomb paintings in Egypt show holds |
| 708 BC | Wrestling added to the ancient Olympics |
| 1896 | Greco-Roman at the first modern Olympics |
| 1904 | Freestyle debuts at the St. Louis Olympics |
| 1928 | First NCAA wrestling championships |
| 2004 | Women’s freestyle joins the Olympics |
Wrestling around the world
- Folk styles include Turkish oil wrestling, Mongolian bökh, Japanese sumo and Swiss schwingen.
- Folkstyle developed in American schools and colleges.
- United World Wrestling governs international styles.
- Wrestling was briefly dropped from the Olympic programme in 2013, then reinstated.
- The sport continues to grow in women’s and youth programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest style of wrestling?
Many styles are ancient; Greco-Roman is named after classical traditions but was formalised in 19th-century Europe.
When did wrestling become an Olympic sport?
In the ancient Games in 708 BC, and in the modern Games from 1896.
Why is it called Greco-Roman?
The name honours ancient traditions, although the modern style was developed in France in the 1800s.
