Widely recognized as the world’s oldest competitive sport, wrestling appeared in a series of Egyptian hieroglyphics dating back as many as 5,000 years ago. Wrestling was not only included in the first ancient Olympic Games, but would become the star event.

In Greco-Roman style, wrestlers use only their arms and upper bodies. However, in 1904, a second wrestling event, freestyle, was added to the Olympic Games. This event allows wrestlers to use both their upper and lower bodies for holding, pushing, lifting, and tripping their opponent.

Countries such as Iran, Russia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Hungary, and the United States have traditionally produced some of the world's greatest wrestlers. Furthermore, the mid-west is traditionally a powerhouse for wrestling in the United States.

Chicago’s rich history of wrestling dates back to 1887, when the first US professional heavyweight champion was crowned in the city. Wrestling is promoted extensively in the Chicago Park District, local clubs, high schools, and local colleges and universities. The Illinois Kids’ Wrestling Foundation, an amateur organization and club program, is credited with the acceleration of the sport’s popularity throughout the state and the Chicago Wrestling Coaches Association lead the Public League in unity and publicizing the sport for area youth. High school wrestling, now a staple in Illinois, was introduced in Chicago in 1926 and produced 3 Olympians in the early 1930’s. Presently, the Midlands Tournament is a premier college event hosted at Northwestern every year. Through the Project Torch program, the Overtime School of Wrestling, works to expose local wrestlers to international competitors and vice versa.

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