Wrestling

A Celebration of Strength, Skill, and Tradition

Introduction

Wrestling is one of the world’s oldest and most respected forms of athletic competition. It is a combat sport that embodies the raw power, discipline, and determination of the human spirit. Wrestling involves a variety of grappling techniques, such as clinches, throws, takedowns, joint locks, pins, and holds, testing both the physical endurance and mental strength of the athletes.

The sport has been an integral part of the Olympic Games since their modern inception, showcasing the timeless human pursuit of excellence through strength and strategy.

Wrestling in the Olympic Games

Wrestling has been contested at every modern Summer Olympic Games, with the exception of the Paris Olympics held in 1900. The sport continues to uphold the ancient Greek Olympic tradition and remains a symbol of discipline and courage.

In the Olympic program, Wrestling is divided into two main disciplines:

1. Freestyle Wrestling – where athletes can use both their upper and lower bodies for offense and defense.
2. Greco-Roman Wrestling – where holds below the waist are not permitted, emphasizing upper-body techniques and throws.

Each discipline is further categorized by weight classes, allowing fair competition among wrestlers of similar body weight.

Participation and Events

At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Wrestling continued to draw some of the most talented athletes from around the globe. The competition included men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman, and women’s freestyle events.

While men competed in both disciplines, women’s wrestling was limited to freestyle categories. Across all divisions, 18 gold medals were awarded, recognizing the champions who demonstrated the highest levels of skill, stamina, and spirit.

India’s Performance in Olympic Wrestling

India’s association with Wrestling goes back to ancient times, where the sport was known as Kushti or Pehlwani. Indian wrestlers have carried forward this proud legacy into the modern Olympic arena.

In the London 2012 Olympics, Indian wrestlers achieved remarkable success by winning one Silver and one Bronze medal, bringing national pride and reaffirming India’s global presence in this traditional sport. Building on this strong foundation, India entered Rio 2016 with renewed hope and determination to excel once again on the world stage.

Techniques and Training

Olympic-level wrestling demands intense physical conditioning, strategic thinking, and technical precision. Athletes must master:

• Takedowns and counters to gain control of their opponent.
• Pins and holds to secure victories.
• Balance, flexibility, and quick reflexes to evade attacks.

Wrestlers also follow rigorous fitness routines focusing on strength training, endurance, agility, and diet control, making them among the most disciplined athletes in the Olympic movement.

A Philatelic Tribute

To commemorate India’s participation in the 2016 Summer Olympics (Rio 2016) and to celebrate the country’s achievements in sports, the Department of Posts, Government of India, issued a special set of four commemorative stamps.

Among these, Wrestling was proudly featured — symbolizing India’s age-old sporting heritage, indomitable spirit, and the continued pursuit of Olympic glory.

Conclusion

Wrestling stands as one of the purest forms of sport, representing the essence of physical and mental resilience. At Rio 2016, it once again captured the imagination of spectators worldwide, honoring the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” — Faster, Higher, Stronger.

Through its philatelic tribute, India salutes the wrestlers who embody the values of excellence, perseverance, and respect, inspiring generations to embrace the Olympic spirit.