Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in human history—if not the oldest. Multiple sculptures, reliefs and cave drawings—some of which date to around 15,000 years ago—show wrestlers using various holds that are still used in the present-day sport. Wrestling was a key part of the ancient Olympic Games, where it was first contested in 708 BCE. Wrestling matches were organised as its own event in two disciplines (‘upright’ and ‘ground’ wrestling) and as part of the pentathlon.
Modern wrestling consists of two separate disciplines: Greco-Roman wrestling, a wrestling style based on the ancient sport, and freestyle wrestling, a more modern format.
