Wrestling

The sport of wrestling is quite possibly the oldest athletic pursuit of humankind. It has been depicted or described in one form or another for thousands of years and was especially celebrated by the ancient Greeks at the original Olympiads. In modern times, wrestling has been a part of every Olympic Games since they were revived in 1896. The sport developed two distinct styles: Greco-Roman and Freestyle, both of which are featured prominently on the international stage. In the United States, the sport took on a slightly different style, and high school and college athletes pursue that Folk style variation across the country. These athletes are not only boys anymore. Girl's wrestling has grown in popularity in recent years, with more than 11,000 female athletes competing at the high school level. Women now also compete at the World championships and the Olympics. Each book in the Inside the World of Sports series takes you from the very beginning of a sport to a look at its future. Inside these pages, learn more about wrestling's greatest moments, iconic athletes, and what the future holds for the sport.