The United World Wrestling (UWW) has approved a new Olympic qualification system for the sport, which will take effect beginning with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, according to the Wrestling Federation of Armenia.
Under the revised framework, a total of 16 wrestlers per weight class will qualify for the Olympics through four distinct sources:
- World Championships
- Continental qualification tournaments
- World Olympic qualification tournament
- UWW ranking system
First phase of qualification:
The 2027 World Championships will serve as the first stage of Olympic qualification. A total of 72 Olympic berths will be awarded at this event. In each of the 18 Olympic weight classes, the medalists—gold, silver, and both bronzes—will secure quota places for their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for Los Angeles 2028.
Second phase:
The second route is through the UWW ranking system. Wrestlers who do not qualify at the World Championships will have another opportunity via rankings. The top three ranked wrestlers in each weight class who haven’t already qualified will earn a quota place for their NOCs.
The UWW ranking will be based on results from seven major tournaments, including:
- 2027 continental championships (seniors)
- Three Ranking Series events in 2027
- 2027 World Championships
- One Ranking Series event in 2028
- 2028 continental championships (seniors)
This revised structure is designed to ensure a more transparent and equitable selection process for Olympic wrestling, enhancing competitiveness and inclusion on the global stage.
