The new selection system will be applied starting from the 2028 Olympic Games, which will take place in Los Angeles.
In the framework of 18 Olympic weight categories, 16 licenses will be contested. Athletes will be able to earn licenses based on the results of:
- the 2027 World Championship
- continental tournaments
- the world qualification event.
Stage one — World Championship (72 licenses)
At the 2027 World Championship, 72 licenses will be allocated to the medalists in Olympic weight classes — those who finish in 1st, 2nd, and two 3rd places.
Stage two — UWW ranking (54 licenses)
After the World Championship, three licenses in each weight category will be awarded to the top athletes from the world ranking representing countries that did not earn licenses at the championship.
The UWW ranking will take into account seven key tournaments held before the Olympics:
- the 2027 continental championships
- the 2027 series of ranking competitions (three tournaments)
- the 2027 World Championship
- the 2028 series of ranking competitions (one tournament)
- the 2028 continental championships
Stage three — continental qualification (Europe, Asia, Pan America, Africa, and Oceania).
At these tournaments, two licenses will be contested in each weight category.
Stage four — world qualification
At the world qualification tournament, winners in each weight category will be able to earn 18 quotas.
Only countries that did not earn quotas in the previous three stages may participate in this stage.
Rules for participation in ranking competitions
Each country has the right to enter a maximum of two wrestlers in each weight category.
