Competitive depth in the sport of freestyle wrestling has never been greater. After decades of dominance, the end of the Soviet Union gave way to scores of powerful wrestling nations entering the world stage, making it more difficult than ever to make the podium at the highest level.
The emergence of the internet allowed coaches and athletes to study their opposition in detail, forcing successful wrestlers to evolve or be figured out. Earning consecutive medals and titles at the World and Olympic level now takes more than a winning skill set.
It’s no surprise that nearly every weight is an absolute shark tank in the world’s “oldest and greatest” sport.