Wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Wrestling at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo included wrestling in two styles: freestyle and Greco-Roman, each split into weight classes. Men competed in both styles, while women only took part in freestyle, for a total of 18 gold medals. Wrestling has appeared at every modern Summer Games except for Paris 1900. The event was postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with roughly 288 wrestlers expected across the 18 events. Each division had 16 competitors in a single-elimination bracket. A repechage system awarded two bronze medals: wrestlers who lost to either finalist entered the repechage, leading to two bronze matches between the semifinal losers and the remaining repechage opponent from their side of the bracket. The two finalists competed for gold and silver.
Quick Facts
- Event
- Wrestling
- Games
- 2020 Summer
- Venue
- Makuhari Messe
- Dates
- 1–7 August 2021
- Competitors
- 289
- Nations
- 61
- Num Events
- 18
- Prev
- 2016
- Next
- 2024
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Around 288 wrestlers were expected to compete in 18 events at the 2020 Summer Olympics, which was postponed in March 2020 and planned for 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition format featured 16 wrestlers per division in a single-elimination tournament with a repechage system to determine two bronze medals. Each wrestler who lost to one of the two finalists moved into the repechage, culminating in bronze medal matches between semifinal losers and remaining repechage opponents.
Reader's Guide
Wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics continued a tradition of being contested at every modern Summer Olympic Games except Paris 1900. The event featured 18 gold medals across freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines, with women competing only in freestyle. The tournament used a single-elimination bracket with a repechage to award two bronze medals, ensuring that wrestlers who lost to finalists had a path to a medal. The postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic marked a historic disruption, but the event remained a key part of the Olympic program. With 61 participating nations, the competition showcased global participation in the sport.
Did You Know?
- The 2020 Summer Olympics was postponed in March 2020 and planned for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Women only participated in freestyle events, not Greco-Roman.
- The competition format used a single-elimination tournament with a repechage for two bronze medals.
More in Wrestling at the Summer Olympics 1-24
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