Struggle

Wrestling is practised in two styles. In Greco-Roman wrestling, holds below the waist and the use of the legs are prohibited: the contest is fought using the arms and torso, and it is the style characterised by powerful back throws. In freestyle wrestling, the whole body may be gripped, including the legs, and footwork counts just as much as ground work. In both styles, victory is achieved by pinning the opponent or by accumulating points. It is one of the oldest documented sports: it was part of the programme of the ancient Olympic Games and featured as early as the modern Olympics of 1896 in the Greco-Roman discipline. Freestyle wrestling was introduced in 1904, and the women’s event in Athens in 2004. The international federation, now known as United World Wrestling, was founded in 1912. Matches last six minutes, divided into two three-minute periods, and can end at any time by pinning the opponent — with their shoulders on the mat — or by technical superiority with a ten-point lead in freestyle and an eight-point lead in Greco-Roman. What counts are explosiveness, grip and the ability to manage the opponent’s weight. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026, the wrestling competition will take place from 22 to 25 August at the PalaWojtyla, with 17 titles up for grabs: five Greco-Roman weight classes (60, 67, 77, 87, 97 kg), six men’s freestyle categories (57, 65, 74, 86, 97, 125 kg) and six women’s freestyle categories (50, 53, 57, 62, 68, 76 kg).

• 1Greco-Roman: holds below the waist and the use of the legs are prohibited. Freestyle: moves are permitted anywhere on the body
• 2Matches consist of two three-minute periods, with a 30-second break
• 3Immediate victory by pin (both shoulders on the mat) or by technical superiority
• 4Points are awarded for throws, reversals, exposing the back and forcing an opponent off the mat
• 517 titles in Taranto: 5 in Greco-Roman, 6 in men’s freestyle and 6 in women’s freestyle