What forms of wrestling exist, and what avenues exist beyond the high school and college levels?

 

Wrestling, like soccer, is an international sport, prevalent in virtually every major country. It’s also the oldest organized sport, and dates back well over 5,000 years. Over time, many variations, such as sumo wrestling, have developed in different parts of the world.

 

Wrestling in the United Stated is practiced in three styles: folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman. Folkstyle, the predominant form of scholastic wrestling in the United States, is found in our high schools, colleges and clubs. This style is unique to the U.S. Rules are established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

 

The other two styles, freestyle and Greco-Roman, are practiced internationally, and are gaining popularity in the U.S. as we continue to advance as a world wrestling power.

 

World and Olympic championships in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling are conducted by FILA, the international governing body responsible for the administration and rule development of the sport. USA Wrestling conducts annual regional and national tournaments in all three styles for male and female wrestlers of all ages.

 

The differences between Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco-Roman are subtle to the novice observer, but rather significant to the wrestler. There are differences in rules, scoring and strategy. Freestyle and Greco-Roman focus more on wrestling from the feet. They are identical except that Greco-Roman is limited to upper-body holds. Folkstyle, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on establishing and maintaining control and involves more mat wrestling.

 

Wrestlers advancing beyond the college level can compete in Freestyle and/or Greco-Roman World and Olympic competition, however there is no avenue to advance beyond that to a professional level. It’s unrealistic for wrestlers to fantasize about aspiring to the level of notoriety and fame associated with other more popular sports, or to imagine themselves, one day earning a living as a professional wrestler. Dan Gable, for example, is as much of a legend in wrestling as Michael Jordan is with basketball, but Dan is virtually unknown outside the wrestling community. It’s not likely that wrestling champions will ever come to be known for their achievements in the sport.