Wrestlings

Wrestlings refers to the family of grappling sports that share core techniques of clinching, takedowns, and controlling an opponent. The term covers multiple styles practiced around the world, from formal sport wrestling to professional wrestling entertainment.

Wrestling has ancient origins and is among the oldest combat sports. Modern competitive wrestling developed in the 19th and 20th centuries with standardized rules and weight classes, and it became an Olympic discipline in the early 20th century.

The main Olympic styles are freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. In freestyle, athletes may use legs for offense and defense; in Greco-Roman, holds below the waist are prohibited. Women's freestyle is also an Olympic event. In the United States, folkstyle (collegiate) wrestling is practiced in schools and colleges. Other forms include catch wrestling and submission grappling, which emphasize joint locks and submissions.

Rules and scoring: Competitive wrestling is typically conducted on a mat. Scoring rewards takedowns, reversals, exposures, and penalties, while a pin (fall) ends the match immediately. Matches are divided into periods and governed by national and international bodies.

Governing bodies and events: United World Wrestling (UWW) oversees the major international styles, along with national federations. Major events include the World Wrestling Championships and the Olympic Games. Safety, weight management, and athlete welfare are standard concerns across governance.

Professional wrestling is a form of entertainment with scripted outcomes; it shares some techniques with sport wrestling but differs in structure, presentation, and goals.