Wrestling

About Wrestling

Wrestling is among the oldest Olympic sports, contested at the ancient Games as far back as 708 BC, and it was included in the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.

Two disciplines feature on the programme: Greco-Roman, in which holds below the belt, trips and any active use of the legs are forbidden, with recent rule changes rewarding explosive, high-amplitude throws, and freestyle, which allows the use of the legs in both attack and defence and traces its roots to catch-as-catch-can wrestling. In both styles, a bout can be won outright by pinning an opponent's shoulders to the mat, or on points accumulated through throws, holds and takedowns.

Ireland's Olympic wrestling history goes back further than often assumed: Gerry Martina competed in the light-heavyweight freestyle at Melbourne 1956, finishing an agonising fourth, before returning for a second Games at Rome 1960. Wrestling has continued to feature on Irish Olympic teams periodically since, sustained by a small competitive base on the island.