szabadbirkózás

Szabadbirkózás, known in English as freestyle wrestling, is one of two wrestling styles contested at the Olympic Games, the other being Greco-Roman wrestling. It is a combat sport involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. The objective is to pin an opponent's shoulders to the mat for a specified period of time, or to score points by executing skillful offensive maneuvers.

Unlike Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling allows for the use of the wrestler's legs and arms to attack and defend. Wrestlers can employ holds that involve their legs, such as leg sweeps and trips, and can also use their legs to secure their opponent. This difference in allowed techniques makes freestyle wrestling generally more dynamic and faster-paced than its Greco-Roman counterpart.

Szabadbirkózás has ancient roots, with evidence of similar forms of wrestling found in many cultures throughout history. Modern freestyle wrestling as a competitive sport began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1904. The sport is governed internationally by United World Wrestling (UWW), formerly known as the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA). Competitions are held across various age groups and weight classes for both men and women. The rules emphasize continuous action and scoring based on aggressive and technically proficient wrestling.