What Are the Weight Classes in USA Wrestling?By Coder| August 30, 2023 Wrestling In the world of wrestling, weight classes play a vital role in ensuring fair competition. USA Wrestling, the governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States, has established specific weight classes that wrestlers must adhere to when competing. These weight classes are designed to create a level playing field by grouping wrestlers of similar sizes and weights together. Let’s take a closer look at the weight classes in USA Wrestling. The Importance of Weight Classes Weight classes are crucial in wrestling as they prevent larger and heavier wrestlers from having an unfair advantage over smaller opponents. By categorizing wrestlers into different weight divisions, the emphasis is placed on skill and technique rather than sheer size and strength. The Weight Classes USA Wrestling recognizes a total of ten weight classes for men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. They are as follows: 57 kg: This weight class is commonly known as the featherweight class. 61 kg: Also known as the lightweight class. 65 kg: Referred to as the light welterweight or light middleweight class. 70 kg: Known as the welterweight class. 74 kg: Often called the middleweight or super welterweight class. 79 kg: Known as the light heavyweight or cruiserweight class. 86 kg: Referred to as the middle heavyweight class. 92 kg: Often called the heavyweight or super middleweight class. 97 kg: Known as the light super heavyweight or heavyweight class. 125 kg: Referred to as the super heavyweight class. Weight Class Determination Wrestlers must weigh in before each competition to ensure they meet the requirements of their chosen weight class. The weigh-in process helps maintain fairness and integrity in the sport. If a wrestler fails to make weight for their selected class, they may be disqualified or required to move up to a higher weight division. Hydration and Weight Cutting It’s worth noting that some wrestlers engage in weight cutting practices in order to compete in lower weight classes. Weight cutting involves temporarily reducing body weight through methods such as extreme dieting, dehydration, or saunas. However, it’s important to prioritize safety and health when considering weight cutting methods. The Women’s Weight Classes While the above-mentioned weight classes apply to men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, women’s wrestling has its own set of weight divisions recognized by USA Wrestling. These divisions are: 50 kg: Known as the light flyweight class. 53 kg: Also known as the flyweight class. 55 kg: Referred to as the bantamweight class. 57 kg: Known as the featherweight class. 59 kg: Often called the lightweight or light welterweight class. 62 kg: Known as the welterweight class. 65 kg: Referred to as the middleweight or super welterweight class. 68 kg: Often called the light heavyweight or cruiserweight class. 72 kg: Known as the middle heavyweight class. 76 kg: Referred to as the heavyweight class. In Conclusion Weight classes in USA Wrestling are a fundamental aspect of the sport, ensuring fair competition and providing wrestlers with opportunities to compete against opponents of similar size and weight. Understanding the weight classes is essential for both competitors and fans alike, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the sport’s intricacies. So whether you’re a wrestling enthusiast or just getting acquainted with the sport, now you have a better understanding of the weight classes in USA Wrestling.
