The Evolution of Women's Wrestling: History, Issues and Future

Abstract

ABSTRACT.The growth of modern women's wrestling around the world has been rapid. From the first world championships held in 1987, with eight countries participating, it has grown to be recognized as an Olympic sport with over 100 countries having registered competitors. This has been accompanied with new social definitions of perceived gender roles. The participation of women in sport has followed a path of inclusion in those activities that have been culturally deemed as “appropriate for women,” to participation in all of the combative Olympic sports. This has radically changed the perceptions of what are held as universally inherent gender differences, as well as labeling of certain sports themselves as masculine or feminine. Women played a large role in the struggle to keep wrestling in the Olympic program. Issues that are still present include the identification of promotion strategies to reach more women, as well as enlisting advocates to deal with cultural and religious barriers to women's participa...