Below are previews for every weight in the women's freestyle division at the 2024 Olympics.

50 Kilograms

American Sarah Hildebrandt has five World/Olympic medals but wants something more. The 2020 Olympic bronze medalist is seeking gold in 2024.

Hildebrandt is in the 50 kg field and fans can watch her compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on August 6-7 on NBC or Peacock. Wrestling takes place at Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars. FloWrestling will have on-the-ground coverage, and a live watch party during the Olympic wrestling competition.

Here's what to know.

The Olympic Gold Medal Favorite

The safe money is that Japan’s Yui Susaki will win her second consecutive Olympic gold medal and sixth World/Olympic title. The 24-year-old has only given up nine points in 21 matches and didn’t surrender any at three World-level Championships, including the 2020 Olympic Games. 

Her dynamic takedown attacks are matched only by her ability to secure a turn and end bouts early. Susaki has won all of her World/Olympic finals by tech and can make elite-level wrestlers look pedestrian. 

But Susaki can get beat if she’s not at the top of her game. 

Winning the 2020 Tokyo Olympics took fortunate timing. Susaki won the 2017 and 2018 Worlds but Yuki Irie represented Japan in 2019. Irie has three wins over her domestic rival and is the only wrestler to defeat Susaki since 2010. 

Irie would represent Japan at the Olympics if she won a medal at the 2019 World Championships, but those plans were derailed when she lost to China’s Yanan Sun in a wild 13-12 quarterfinal match. Sun lost to eventual champion Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan in the semifinals, leaving Irie out of medal contention. 

That opened the door for Susaki who took advantage by winning a special wrestle-off over Irie. The 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until 2021 but Susaki dominated the competition in front of her home crowd. Sun gave Susaki an Olympic opportunity and, as fate would have it, Susaki defeated Sun, 10-0, in the gold medal finals. 

Susaki opted out of the 2021 World Championships a few weeks later but her replacement, Remina Yoshimoto, won gold. 

Any points scored against Susaki are newsworthy given her dominant career. That’s why her performance at the recent Asian Championships offers a sliver of hope for the rest of the world. She won three matches for the title but had a 4-1 win over Yong Ok Hwang of North Korea in the quarters and an 8-4 win over China’s Ziqi Feng in the finals. Feng won a bronze medal at the 2023 Worlds, losing to Susaki, 8-2, in the semis. 

Yui Susaki at the Worlds and Olympics

The American: Sarah Hildebrandt

Sarah Hildebrandt’s dynamic wrestling style and sparkling personality make her a superstar, but she’s tired of winning silver and bronze medals. Hildebrandt fell to Mongolia’s Otgonjargal Dolgorjavyn at back-to-back World Championships before bouncing back for bronze. She did the same at the 2020 Olympics. Hildebrandt fell to China’s Yanan Sun, 10-7, in the semis then teched Ukraine’s Oksana Livach for bronze. 

“I’ve done this now a lot of times,” Hildebrandt said after her 2023 World bronze medal match. “There’s a certain point (where you ask) how much more do I have to be resilient and when can I start being good, being the person? I feel like I’m getting way too comfortable being the resilient one who has to pick herself back up.”

Domestically, Hildebrandt has no peer. She hasn’t lost a match to an American since dropping from 53 to 50 kg after the 2019 World Championships. Her high-octane pace and world-class leg lace make her a favorite to reach the podium again. Hildebrandt is the only wrestler at the weight to medal at the 2020 Olympics and every subsequent World Championships. 

But can she strike gold? She's never faced Susaki so an Olympic final between these two is a match the world wants to see.

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Hildebrandt used her leg lace to end a match early at the 2023 Pan-American Championships

The Paris Olympic Games Wrestling Contenders 

China’s Ziqi Feng won a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships and was ahead of Susaki, 4-2, at the 2024 Asian Championships. Susaki eventually won, 8-4, but this is encouraging news for the rest of the weight since points have been nearly impossible to score against the Japanese star. Feng could be Susaki’s toughest opponent.

Mongolia’s Dolgorjavyn Otgonjargal is a medal favorite after reaching the 2022 and 2023 World finals, falling both times to Susaki. Her compact frame makes her a problem since changing levels and getting to her legs can be difficult.

The sentimental favorite is Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan who recently made her fifth Olympic team. The 35-year-old is a four-time Olympic medalist, winning silvers in 2012 and 2016 and bronzes in 2008 and 2020. Her impressive career includes six Senior World medals (two gold, three silver, one bronze), and 12 European titles. 

Making the 2024 Olympic Team wasn’t easy, and it took winning the true bronze medal match at the World Olympic qualifier to make it happen. She skipped the 2021 and 2022 World Championships and finished eighth in 2023. The 50 kg field is deep so a medal for Stadnik would add to her legacy.

Keep an eye on North Korea’s Song-hyang Kim. North Korea is conspicuously absent during World-level events then appear when it matters most. Kim won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships (dropping a 5-2 match to Susaki), disappeared for four years after the 2019 Worlds, and then reappeared at the 2023 Asian Games where she finished second to Japan’s Remina Yoshimoto. 

Kim nearly scored the winning takedown against Susaki at the buzzer but time ran out. North Korea lost the challenge, giving Susaki the 5-2 win.

Kim entered the World Olympic qualifier and reached the finals with a late 10-3 win over Stadnik. The North Korean gave Susaki a tough match at the 2017 Worlds so she could be a threat at the Olympics. 

India’s Vinesh Phogat dropped from 53 kilograms to make her third Olympic Team. She won World bronze medals in 2019 and 2022 but caused a stir when she entered two weights — 50 and 53 — at her country’s trials process in March. 

Phogat reached the finals of this year’s Asian Olympic qualifier at 50 kg after five years at 53. Her last time at this weight was during the 2018 Asian Games where she defeated Japan’s Yuki Irie — the same opponent with three wins over Susaki — in the gold medal finals. 

2020 Through 2023 Olympic Quad

The 2024 Olympic Wrestling Field

These women's freestyle wrestlers qualified their countries for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Worlds
Gold - Yui Susaki (JPN)
Silver - Dolgorjavyn Otgonjargal (MGL)
Bronze - Ziqi Feng (CHN)
Bronze - Sarah Hildebrandt (USA)
5th Place - Evin Demirhan (TUR)

Continentals Qualifiers
Pan-Ams - Alisson Cardozo (COL)
Pam-Ams - Yusneylis Guzman (CUB)
African & Oceania - Nada Mohamed (EGY)
African & Oceania - Ibtissem Doudou (ALG)
Euros - Oksana Livach (UKR)
Euros - Nadezhda Sokolova (RUS)
Asians - Aktenge Keunimjaeva (UZB)
Asians - Vinesh Phogat (IND)

Last Chance World Qualifier
Song Hyang Kim (PRK)
Anastasia Blayvas (GER)
Mariya Stadnik (AZE)

53 Kilograms

American Dom Parrish was a World champion in 2022 but missed out on a medal last year. She attempts to reach the podium during her first Olympic Games. 

Parrish is in the 53 kg field and fans can watch her compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on August 7-8 on NBC or Peacock. Wrestling takes place at Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars. FloWrestling will have on-the-ground coverage, and a live watch party during the Olympic wrestling competition.

Here's what to know about the 53 kg field. 

The Olympic Gold Medal Favorite

A healthy Akari Fujinami might be the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the world. The 20-year-old Japanese star won her first senior world title in 2021 at 17 and another in 2023 at 19. She missed the 2022 World Championships due to an injury. 

Her other-worldly low-level attacks are a sight to behold. Her opponent’s leg looks firmly planted in cement as she misdirects to the side for a takedown. That’s on top of her relentless pace, constant motion, impeccable defense, stellar mid-range shots, slick slide-bys, and a leg lace. 

Akari Fujinami has all the tools. 

Nine matches at the Senior World Championships have resulted in eight shutout techs and one fall. Interestingly, the win by fall offers the most insight into defeating Fujinami. 

Ecuador’s Lucia Yepez Guzman raced to an early lead during her quarterfinal match against Fujinami at the 2023 World Championships. Yepez used a slingshot double to blast Fujinami off her feet and score seven points. The Ecuadorian was down 16-7 when pinned, but it was the first time anyone scored on Fujinami at the World Championships. 

It will take more than a four-point takedown to knock off Fujinami. It takes a complete match and a well-executed game plan. Even that might not be enough.

Akari Fujinami at the Worlds Championships

The American: Dom Parrish

Dom Parrish had her breakout performance at the 2022 World Championships. Her first international gold medal was on the biggest stage, setting the stage to make this year’s Olympic Team.

The Scots Valley, California, native made the 2023 World team but lost 3-2 in the opening round to India’s Antim Panghal, an eventual bronze medalist. Parrish qualified the United States for the Olympics at the 2024 Pan-American Qualifier with an entertaining 9-6 win over 2020 Olympian Laura Herin of Cuba. She followed that with two wins over 2016 Olympian Haley Augello in the best-of-three Olympic Trials finals to make the Olympic Team.

“Anyone who has been in the flow state knows you’re going to win,” Parrish said after defeating Herin. “I didn’t know how it was going to happen but I knew it was going to happen. I felt tingling through my whole body warming up so I felt so ready going out to wrestle and give it my all. I felt very excited to qualify the weight. The process is hard so it’s nice to win.”

Her quarterfinal match against Guzman at the 2022 Worlds was Parrish at her best. She controlled the tie, scored on a go-behind, and secured an air-tight leg-lace for a 10-0 first-period tech. She won 3-1 in the semis over three-time World bronze medalist Maria Prevolarki of Greece before a 4-2 win over Batkhuyagiin Khulan of Mongolia in the finals. 

The 27-year-old has developed into a star since dropping from 55 kg in 2020. Her colorful personality and entertaining interviews enhance her accomplishments on the mat. 

Winning an Olympic medal isn’t easy, but Parrish has what it takes to reach the podium.

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Watch Dom Parrish's win over Cuba's Laura Herin to qualify the United States for the Olympics at 53 kg

The Paris Olympic Games Wrestling Contenders 

Guzman is the only wrestler in the field to score on Fujinami at the World Championships, so she is at the top of the contenders' list. Her explosive style makes her a can’t-miss wrestler and she seems to improve every time she competes. 

The 23-year-old flipped a 14-4 loss to Prevolarki in the 2022 World bronze medal match into a 10-3 win over her for bronze the following year. Guzman has a big upside and should be a factor at the Olympics and beyond.

Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus has the best credentials. She’s a two-time World champion (2012, 2017), a 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, and a 2023 World silver medalist. The 31-year-old wasn’t afraid to mix it up with Fujinami during her World finals match. She eventually gave up a 10-0 tech but didn’t get turned and made Fujinami work to get takedowns. 

India’s Antim Panghal is a two-time U20 World champion who secured a senior-level bronze last year. The 19-year-old is good from a two-on-one, likes to control wrists, and shoots a sweep single. Panghal can get into wild exchanges, making her unpredictable and fun to watch. Parrish hit her with a straight-on single during the first 10 seconds of their match, so openings are available. 

China’s Qianyu Pang had a good run from 2018 through 2021, winning two World bronze medals and a silver at the 2020 Olympics. She hasn’t maintained that level since, but she is someone to watch.

Keep an eye on Moldova’s Mariana Dragutan (2023 World bronze at 55 kg) and Mongolia’s Batkhuyag Khulan (2022 World silver at 53 kg). North Korea’s Hyogyong Choe hasn’t competed from 2010 until she won a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games. 

Sweden’s Emma Malmgren might be the breakout surprise at this weight. Her constant motion, laser focus, and high pace could frustrate some of her opponents. The 22-year-old is a 2021 Junior World champion and a two-time European champion who won her fifth-place match at the 2023 World Championships to qualify for the Olympics. She’s just getting started.

Here’s one more: Andreea Ana of Romania was the 2021 U23 World champion at 55 kg when she was 19 and she has three European titles and three medals. 

2020 Through 2023 Olympic Quad

The 2024 Olympic Wrestling Field

These women's freestyle wrestlers qualified their countries for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Worlds
Gold - Akari Fujinami (JPN)
Silver - Vanesa Kaladzinskaya (BLR)
Bronze - Lucia Yepez Guzman (ECU)
Bronze - Antim Panghal (IND)
5th Place - Emma Malmgren (SWE)

Continentals Qualifiers
Pan-Ams - Dominique Parrish (USA)
Pam-Ams - Betzabeth Arguello (VEN)
African & Oceania - Mia Aquino (GUA)
African & Oceania - Christiana Ogunsanya (NGR)
Euros - Natalia Malysheva (RUS)
Euros - Andreea Ana (ROU)
Asians - Qianyu Pang (CHN)
Asians - Hyogyong Choe (PRK)

Last Chance World Qualifier
Mariana Dragutan (MDA)
Batkhuyag Khulan (MGL)
Zeynep Yetgil (TUR)

57 Kilograms

American Helen Maroulis has gold on her mind in a tough weight class this summer, but reaching the podium won't be easy.

Maroulis is in the 57 kg field and fans can watch her compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on August 8-9 on NBC or Peacock. Wrestling takes place at Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars. FloWrestling will have on-the-ground coverage, and a live watch party during the Olympic wrestling competition.

Here's what to know about the 57 kg field. 

The Olympic Gold Medal Favorite: Tsugumi Sakurai

Japan’s Tsugumi Sakurai is the favorite based on results, but she is hardly a lock to win the Olympic Games. Her teammate, Risako Kawai, won two Olympic gold medals and three World titles in weights ranging from 57 to 63 kg. Sakurai represents the next wave of Japanese superstars, and she already has three World titles by age 22. 

The Japanese star is a control wrestler who doesn’t force scoring opportunities. She is excellent from a two-on-one, likes to keep the match in close quarters, and can dominate without scoring lots of points. She is different than her world-champion teammates Yui Susaki (50 kg) and Akari Fujinami (53 kg) who end matches early. Sakurai will stay patient and frustrate opponents with constant pressure.

Her 2023 World Championship finals against Moldova’s Anastasia Nichita is how Sakurai wrestles. She controlled the tie, maintained position, and eventually scored a second-period takedown off a two-on-one. Sakurai won, 3-2, but gave up a late takedown when she wrestled from space. The best way to defeat Sakurai is to create space or to control the tie. Both are easier said than done. 

China’s Yongxin Feng defeated Sakurai, 4-2, in the finals of the 2024 Asian Championships and provided the playbook for wrestling the three-time World champion. Feng shot off the whistle, scored within 10 seconds, then secured a gut wrench for a 4-0 lead. That forced Sakurai to chase for the remainder of the match, which isn’t her strength. Feng gave up a late takedown when the match was secured.

Watch Sakurai's 2023 World Championship finals match below

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Tsugumi Sakurai At The Worlds

The American: Helen Maroulis 

Helen Maroulis continues to write the record book in the United States. The 32-year-old has competed in 11 Senior World Championships, becoming the first American woman to make three Olympic teams. In 2016, she became the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in women’s freestyle wrestling, and in 2021 was the first to win multiple medals when she secured bronze. 

There’s a good chance she’ll earn her 10th Senior World medal in what will likely be the final competition of her career. 

“Every Olympic quad has been different. Every tournament is different,” Maroulis said after the 2023 World Championships. “Every single (World Championships) is special. For the last two years, it’s almost like I can count the number of tournaments I have left, and that’s so crazy. Basically it’s Worlds, Olympics, and the (Olympic Trials). I’m not doing anything else unless it contributes in some way to that 2024 goal. 

“All these nerves and this weight cut and sitting in a hotel room — you get this three more times. It’s been 25 years that you’ve been doing this. It puts a lot of things into perspective for me.” 

Putting Maroulis’ wrestling career takes more than a numerical evaluation. Winning nine World/Olympic medals, including four gold, is an important piece of her legacy, but her accomplishments transcend wrestling. Winning the 2016 Olympics over 16-time World and Olympic champion Saori Yoshida of Japan catapulted her into superstardom. She became the face of women’s wrestling and her public battles with concussions and PTSD have only added to her fascinating journey. 

On the mat, Maroulis is a cerebral wrestler who excels at match strategy. She may drop a match or two during the season but makes adjustments for the events that matter the most. Her performance at the 2017 World Championships was Maroulis at her best. She outscored five opponents 52-0 using a diverse range of offensive and defensive techniques. 

The Olympic field is competitive, but Maroulis is in the mix to win a third Olympic medal. 

Helen Maroulis At The Worlds And Olympics

The Canadian Olympian: Hannah Taylor

Hannah Taylor didn’t medal at the 2019, 2022, and 2023 World Championships but won bronze medals at the 2019 and 2021 U23 World Championships. She qualified for the Olympics by winning the Canadian Olympic Trials and reaching the finals of the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier. 

Taylor is a right-leg lead who digs underhooks with her left arm. Her shots are from space with no set-up and she utilizes step-outs to win matches. She’s all about hand-fighting and getting her opponent to the zone. The 26-year-old needs the tournament of her life to medal at the Olympics.  

Growing up on Prince Edward Island, Hannah Taylor dreamed of becoming an Olympian at age six. Learn more about her 20-year journey, including three U SPORT titles at Brock University. 

The Paris Olympic Games Wrestling Contenders 

Moldova’s Anastasia Nichita is at the top of her game after winning the 2022 World Championships at 59 kg and a silver at the 2023 World Championships at 57. Her unorthodox style will be a nightmare for anyone she faces in the bracket. She likes to create chaos and typically comes out on top in scrambles. She also has an air-tight gut wrench to end matches early.

Nigeria’s Odunayo Adekuoroye is the tallest wrestler at the weight and presents a unique set of challenges. The 30-year-old has won four Senior-level World medals, including bronze in 2023. Following two previous losses, she had a memorable 13-0 win over Maroulis at the 2021 Poland Open. Adekuoroye was ahead of Nichita 8-2 in the first round at the 2020 Olympics before getting pinned and eliminated from the tournament when Nichita didn’t reach the finals. Nichita won by 10-0 tech in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Worlds. 

Kexin Hong qualified China for the Olympics but that doesn’t necessarily mean she will compete at Paris. Yongxin Feng defeated Sakurai at the Asian Championships so she would be the top contender if she competes. Zhang Qi won the 2023 World Championships and defeated Japan’s Risako Kawai at the Asian Championships. Will she move down and take the spot? China has options. 

Iryna Kurachkina of Belararus won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics but finished seventh at the 2023 World Championships. She qualified through the European Olympic qualifier. Poland’s Anhelina Lysak was a bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships and India’s Anshu Malik won silver in 2021. 

2020 Through 2023 Olympic Quad

The 2024 Olympic Wrestling Field

These women's freestyle wrestlers qualified their countries for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Worlds
Gold - Tsugumi Sakurai (JPN)
Silver - Anastasia Nichita (MDA)
Bronze - Helen Maroulis (USA)
Bronze - Odunayo Adekuoroye (NGR)
5th Place - Anhelina Lysak (POL)

Continentals Qualifiers
Pan-Ams - Luisa Valverde (ECU)
Pam-Ams - Hannah Taylor (CAN)
African & Oceania - Rckaela Aquino (GUA)
African & Oceania - Chaimaa Aouissi (ALG)
Euros - Sandra Parszewski (GER)
Euros - Iryna Kurachkina (BLR)
Asians - Kexin Hong (CHN)
Asians - Anshu Malik (IND)

Last Chance World Qualifier
Alina Akoobia (UKR)
Giullia Oliveria (BRA)
Aurora Russo (ITA)

62 Kilograms

American Kayla Miracle has one of the most impressive resumes in U.S. history. She’s succeeded at every level, including two Senior World silver medals. 

Miracle is in the 62 kg field and fans can watch her compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on August 9-10 on NBC or Peacock. Wrestling takes place at Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars. FloWrestling will have on-the-ground coverage, and a live watch party during the Olympic wrestling competition.

Here's what to know about the 62 kg field. 

The Olympic Gold Medal Favorite: Aisuluu Tynybekova

The time is now for Kyrgyzstan’s Aisuluu Tynybekova. The 31-year-old had the best quad of any wrestler at 62 kg since winning a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics. She won World titles in 2019, 2021, and 2023 alongside a 2017 bronze medal. 

This weight is wide-open, though, with parity across the board. At least half the field has a legitimate shot at gold. 

Stylistically, Tynybekova is a low-volume shooter and a high-percentage finisher. She’s willing to stand toe-to-toe with an opponent, use a two-on-one or an underhook, and let her make mistakes. The Kyrgyz star will capitalize on an errant shot and can create scrambles if someone gets to her legs — and her flexibility can turn a predicament into a scoring opportunity. 

Her five-match 2023 World title run explains how Tynybekova wrestles: two falls, 2-2, 4-2, and 4-1 over Japan’s Sakura Motoki in the finals. She defeated Motoki again in this year’s Asian Championship finals but Tynybekova fell to 2022 World champion Nonoka Ozaki of Japan at the 2023 Asian Games. 

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Watch Aisuluu Tynybekova win the 2023 World Championships

Aisuluu Tynybekova At The Worlds And Olympics (2019-2023)

The American: Kayla Miracle

Miracle is at the top of her game despite a 14-10 loss to Mongolia’s Orkhon Purevdorj at the recent Budapest Ranking Series tournament. Her long and distinguished career includes four WCWA titles for Campbellsville, six World medals across multiple age categories, and a 2020 Olympic berth. 

She won her first Senior-level medal at the 2021 World Championships, falling to Tynbekova, 7-0, in the gold medal finals. The 28-year-old won another silver medal the following year but fell to Romania’s Kriszta Incze in the second round of the 2023 World Championships. 

Because she didn’t qualify the weight for the United States at the Worlds, Miracle had to take a lengthy path to the Olympics. 

She defeated World silver medalist Macey Kilty, two matches to one, at the Pan-Am Qualifier wrestle-off for the right to wrestle at the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier. Then she won the Pan-Am Championships for the right to get seeded opposite Brazil’s Lais Nunes and Canada’s Ana Godinez a week before qualifying the weight for the United States. Then she defeated Kilty in straight matches at the Olympic Trials.

Ultimately, it took four tournaments over three months to make the 2024 Paris Olympic Team. 

“Everyone is in the same position,” Miracle said after the Pan-Am Olympic qualifier. “This position sucks having to qualify here. I did it last quad and it sucked. It sucked but everyone is in the same position. Everyone wants that (Olympic) spot. 

“Now, it’s whose preparation is better. Whose mindset is better? Who is going to take the spot, because it’s not going to be given.” 

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This match qualified the United States for the Olympic Games at 62 kg

Kayla Miracle At The Worlds And Olympics

The Canadian Olympian: Ana Godinez

Godinez has momentum entering the Olympic Games. The Canadian star recently won the Hungarian Ranking Tournament after Ukraine’s Iryna Koliadenko forfeited in the finals. The 24-year-old won gold and bronze at the 2021 and 2022 U23 World Championships; respectively, but hasn’t broken through with a medal at the Senior Worlds. 

The Olympics would be an ideal time to make that happen. Godinez was a college star for Simon Fraser, winning an NCWWC (NCAA) title in 2020. She has been on the cusp several times, taking Miracle to the wire, but has never defeated her continental rival. 

The Canadian star has heavy snaps and likes to score on go-behinds. She’s a gritty wrestler who can mount a comeback if she has to. Godinez was down 7-0 in her 2021 U23 Word finals match before storming back for a 10-7 victory. 

The Paris Olympic Games Wrestling Contenders

This weight is wide open. 

Japan won four of six weights at the 2020 Toyko Olympics — including Yukako Kawai at 62 kg — so it’s hardly a stretch to think it could win here. Sakura Motoki lost a tight match to Tynybekova in the 2023 World finals and is expected to represent Japan in Paris. 

Ukraine’s Iryna Koliadenko won bronze medals at the 2020 Olympics and 2023 World Championships but didn’t represent her country in 2021 and 2022. Her replacement — Ilona Prokopevniuk — won a bronze medal, a testament to the depth of the country. 

Norway’s Grace Bullen has ties to the United States. She wrestled a season for Campbellsville, winning a 2018 WCWA individual and team title alongside Miracle. The two have faced off a few times with each winning. Bullen has had more success lately, notching an 8-6 win over Miracle at the 2023 Zagreb Open and winning a bronze medal at last year’s Worlds. 

Bulgaria’s Bilyana Dudova is a 2021 World champion at 59 kg and a 2018 World silver medalist at 57. Mongolia’s Orkhon Purevdorg is a 2017 World champion at 63 kg and has a rare win over Japan's 14-time World/Olympic champion Kaori Icho. Germany's Luisa Niemesch hasn't won a Senior medal but she qualified outright at the World Championships by finishing fifth. 

The wild card is North Korea’s Hyon Gyong Mun. She won the 2023 Asian Games over Ozaki and Tynybekova. Could she be the breakout star of this bracket?

There is plenty of star power to go around in the deepest women’s freestyle field at the 2024 Olympic Games. 

2020 Through 2023 Olympic Quad

The 2024 Olympic Wrestling Field

These women's freestyle wrestlers qualified their countries for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Worlds
Gold - Aisuluu Tynybekova (KGZ)
Silver - Sakura Motoki (JPN)
Bronze - Iryna Koliadenko (UKR)
Bronze - Grace Bullen (NOR)
5th Place - Luisa Niemesch (GER)

Continentals Qualifiers
Pan-Ams - Kayla Miracle (USA)
Pam-Ams - Ana Godinez (CAN)
African & Oceania - Siwar Bouseta (TUN)
African & Oceania - Esther Kolawole (NGR)
Euros - Alina Kasabieva (RUS)
Euros - Bilyana Dudova (BUL)
Asians - Orkhon Purevdorg (MGL)
Asians - Hyon Gyong Mun (PRK)

Last Chance World Qualifier
Krszta Incze (ROU)
Nesrin Bas (TUR)
Veranika Ivanova (BLR)

68 Kilograms

American Amit Elor is on a path like no other wrestler in U.S. history. The 20-year-old phenom has won eight World Championships: two Senior, two U23, three U20, and one Cadet. 

Elor is in the 68 kg field and fans can watch her compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on August 5-6 on NBC or Peacock. Wrestling takes place at Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars. FloWrestling will have on-the-ground coverage, and a live watch party during the Olympic wrestling competition.

Here's what to know about the 68 kg field. 

The Olympic Gold Medal Favorite And The American: Amit Elor

Don’t worry if Amit Elor’s name doesn’t show up as a 68 kg World or Olympic medalist during the last Olympic quad. She was too busy dominating the competition at 72 kg. 

Elor was off to a fast start in 2021 when she bagged U17 and U20 World titles. Then she won U20, U23, and Senior World titles in 2022 — becoming the youngest American (18) to win a Senior World title and the first American to win three gold medals (U20, U23, and Senior) in the same year.

What did Elor do for an encore in 2023? She won all three World titles again, making her the first and only American to accomplish the same feat twice. 

She also joined Adeline Gray (6), Helen Maroulis (4), Trish Saunders (4), Tamyra Mensah-Stock (3), and Kristie Davis (2) as the only American women to win multiple World/Olympic titles. 

Her last loss was a 3-1 semifinal setback to Japan’s Honoka Naka at the 2019 Cadet Worlds. Since then, Elor has dominated the World. Her closest match was a 3-2 semifinal victory over Japan’s Masako Furuichi at the 2022 Senior World Championships. 

"Winning eight World titles means I'm probably doing something right," Elor said. "It's hard to believe that I have won that many World titles. I just keep going from one competition to the next, one match at a time, doing my very best. And here we are."

Amit Elor At The Worlds

This weight has belonged to the Americans since 2019, with Mensah-Stock winning World golds in 2019 and 2022 and the 2020 Olympics. Her retirement left an opening that Elor will fill in Paris. 

Elor qualified the United States at the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier since her two World titles were at a non-Olympic weight. She won the best-of-three series at the Olympic Trials over Forrest Molinari. 

The Walnut Creek, California, native might be the best wrestler in the world from an underhook or a two-on-one. She establishes dominance early by imposing her will from the first whistle until the last. Elor uses a tough, hard-nosed, and punishing style that will be difficult to stop — especially since she is the strongest competitor in the 16-wrestler field. 

And her career has just begun. She missed the 2020 Olympic Trials since her January 1, 2004, birthday left her a day shy of the cutoff. A gold medal in Paris will compensate for her missed opportunity. 

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Elor qualified the United States for the Olympics with this win.

Amit Elor Match-By-Match Results At Senior Worlds

The Canadian Olympian: Linda Morais

Morais has been a staple for Canada, winning the 59 kg gold medal at the 2019 World Championships and bronze in 2016 and 2022. Making the 2024 Olympics wasn’t easy for the 30-year-old.

The Tecumseh, Ontario, native was injured during the 2023 season and postponed her wrestle-off, where she fell to Olivia Di Bacco. Morais defeated Katie Mulkay for the right to face Di Bacco in the best-of-three series at the Canadian Team Trials. The series went to the deciding match with Morais winning matches one and three.

Next up was the World Olympic Games Qualifier where Morais won her first two matches, lost to China’s Feng Zhou, then won three more to make the Olympic Team with the last available spot. She’s good from a collar and elbow tie, often leading to fireman’s carries and throws. Morais is selective with her shots but is explosive when she opens up. 

This weight is interesting since quality wrestlers are coming up from 65 and down from 72. Morais is definitely in the mix and has the medals to prove it. 

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Watch Linda Morais win a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships

The Paris Olympic Games Wrestling Contenders

Turkey’s Buse Tosun won the 2023 World Championships at 68 kilograms, making her a medal favorite. She won 72 kg bronze medals at the 2018 and 2021 World Championships.

Tosun’s World Championship run included three falls, a tech, and an 8-0 shutout. She was thrown for four during her finals match against Mongolia’s Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan but immediately reversed the position for the pin. That makes her a dangerous match-up for anyone in the field. 

Japan’s Ami Ishii qualified the weight for Japan by winning her fifth-place match over Emma Bruntil of the United States but Nonoka Ozaki will compete at 68 kg. She won the 2022 and 2023 World Championships at 62 and 65 kg, respectively. 

An Ozaki vs Elor match is intriguing with each winning two Senior World titles: one moving up a weight and the other moving down. Ozaki defeated American Macey Kilty, 10-0, in less than a minute during the 2023 World finals. She shoots a sweep single and ends matches early with turns. Getting to Elor’s legs and turning her will be among her greatest challenges. 

The rest of the field will attempt to play spoiler in a balanced field. 

Mongolia’s Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan was a silver medalist at the 2023 Worlds. France’s Koumba Larroque is a four-time World medalist with a semifinal win over Mensah-Stock at the 2018 World Championships. Moldova’s Irina Ricaci has three Senior World medals, including a dramatic bronze medal win over Ishii at the 2023 Worlds. 

Two wild cards are Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu and Feng Zhou. Oborududu won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics but hasn't reached the podium before or since. Zhou won World medals in 2015 and 2018 but hasn’t reached that level of success again. 

2020 Through 2023 Olympic Quad

The 2024 Olympic Wrestling Field

These women's freestyle wrestlers qualified their countries for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Worlds
Gold - Buse Tosun (TUR)
Silver -  Delgermaa Enkhsaikhan (MGL)
Bronze - Koumba Larroque (FRA)
Bronze - Irina Ringaci (MDA)
5th Place - Ami Ishii (JPN)

Continentals Qualifiers
Pan-Ams - Amit Elor (USA)
Pam-Ams - Soleymi Caraballo (VEN)
African & Oceania - Blessing Oborududu (NGR)
African & Oceania - Tayla Ford (NZL)
Euros - Khanum Velieva (RUS)
Euros - Wiktoria Choluj (POL)
Asians - Sol Gum Pak (PRK)
Asians - Meerim Zhumanazarova (KGZ)

Last Chance World Qualifier
Nisha Dahiya (IND)
Feng Zhou (CHN)
Linda Morais (CAN)

76 Kilograms

Will American Kennedy Blades be the new international star at 76 kg? The 20-year-old made her first Senior-level World team when she knocked off six-time World champion Adeline Gray in the best-of-three finals at the Olympic Trials. 

Fans can watch Blades compete at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on August 10-11 on NBC or Peacock. Wrestling takes place at Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars. FloWrestling will have on-the-ground coverage, and a live watch party during the Olympic wrestling competition.

Here's what to know about the 76 kg field. 

The Olympic Gold Medal Favorite: Yuka Kagami

Japan has dominated the world in women’s freestyle wrestling but is missing one thing: an Olympic gold medal at 76 kg. The weights have changed slightly, but Japan has never tasted the top Olympic spot in the heaviest weight class.

Five-time World champion Kyoko Hamaguchi represented Japan three times at the Olympics, winning two bronze medals. A gold by Yuka Kagami would put the finishing touches on an unparalleled wrestling legacy. 

Kagami is the slight favorite based on winning the 2023 World Championships. The 22-year-old is shorter than most of her opponents and has a low-level shot and a double, which she used during her win 4-1 over six-time World champion Adeline Gray in last year’s World semis.

Developing and executing a game plan is Kagami’s greatest strength. She doesn’t score often but doesn’t have to since she is so positionally sound. Kagami didn’t score a takedown until the second period of her World final, which ended by injury default over Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy.  

Yuka Kagami At Senior Worlds

Japan At Heavyweight Since 2003

The American: Kennedy Blades

Blades has international experience, including a 2021 Junior World title, but this is her first Senior-level World Team. Making the 2024 Olympics wasn’t easy. The 76 kg domestic field is deep with a handful of wrestlers capable of winning World and Olympic medals. 

The 20-year-old ran through the mini-tournament with wins over Skylar Grote (11-0), Dymond Guilford (11-1), and Yelena Makoyed (11-0). She downed Gray 11-6 and 8-3 in the best-of-three finals after losing to her in straight matches at 2023 Final X. 

“(Adeline) put a staple on women’s wrestling,” Blades said after the Olympic Trials. “This younger generation looked up to the older generation and now that they are starting to retire we’re catching up. They’re just setting a great example for us. My generation is super excited to keep wrestling.”

No wrestler in the field has offensive tools like Blades. She can shoot from space and score takedowns at will if she stays on her attacks. Opponents will try to slow her down, control the tie, and take the action to the mat. Shorter opponents will look for a snatch single since Blades is so tall. 

The best strategy is age-old: The best defense is a good offense. Blades is tough to beat if she can get to her opponent’s legs and score. 

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Kennedy Blades and Adeline Gray faced off for the first time in the 2023 US Open finals

The Canadian Olympian: Justina Di Stasio

Di Stasio made her first Olympic team but is among Canada’s best wrestlers. She was a 2018 World champion at 72 kg after winning bronze at 75 kg in 2017. The 31-year-old qualified at the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier and is among a handful of medal contenders.

The Burnaby, British Columbia, native dropped her bronze medal match at the 2022 World Championships then finished eighth in 2023 with a 2-2 record. Several top names from the 2020 Olympics aren’t in the field so this is an opportunity for Di Stasio to shine during her prime. She has good straight shots and is tough to take down. 

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Justina Di Stasio dominated the Canadian Olympic Trials

The Paris Olympic Games Wrestling Contenders

Picking a favorite at this weight is a flip of the coin. Turkey’s Yasemin Adar has the best credentials but missed the 2023 World Championships. She’s a 2017 and 2022 World champion, 2018 World silver, and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist.  

Adar defeated Kagami, 4-2, at the 2022 World Championships and has key wins over the world’s best. She might be the strongest wrestler in the field, so getting her out of position will be difficult. Adar doesn’t shoot often but is tough to take down and can score when she has to — from neutral and par terre. 

Kyzy has two World medals and was within striking distance of the 2023 World gold but was injured in an exchange against Kagami during a takedown. She eventually defaulted after falling behind 8-0. 

Pan-American countries are well represented with Blades, Di Stasio, Tatiana Renteria (Columbia), Milaimys Marin (Cuba), and Genesis Reasco (Ecuador). Renteria is a 2023 World bronze medalist and Marin is a 2019 U23 World champion. 

Don’t overlook Reasco. She might have the most upside of anyone in the field, and she can win if her confidence is high. Her powerful and explosive shots will be a problem for everyone in the field. She hasn’t medalled at the Worlds yet, but the Olympics is a good time to come through. 

India’s Reetika Reetika is a U23 World champion and Mongolia’s Davaanasan Enkh Amar is a World silver at 72 kg, falling to American’s Amit Elor in the finals. This field has diverse styles so be ready for a grab bag of results. 

2020 Through 2023 Olympic Quad

The 2024 Olympic Wrestling Field

These women's freestyle wrestlers qualified their countries for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Worlds
Gold - Yuka Kagami (JPN)
Silver - Aiperi Medet Kyzy (KGZ)
Bronze - Adeline Gray (USA)
Bronze - Tatiana Renteria (COL)
5th Place - Milaimys Marin (CUB)

Continentals Qualifiers
Pan-Ams - Justina Di Stasio (CAN)
Pam-Ams - Genesis Reasco (ECU)
African & Oceania - Zaineb Sghaier (TUN)+
African & Oceania - Hannah Rueben (NGR)
Euros - Yasemin Adar (TUR)
Euros - Bernadett Nagy (HUN)
Asians - Reetika Reetika (IND)
Asians - Juan Wang (CHN)

Last Chance World Qualifier
Catalina Axente (ROU)
Yuliana Yaneva (BUL)
Davaanasan Enkh Amar (MGL)