Fans around the world rejoiced as wrestling was reinstated for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) originally dropped the sport because members of the organization believed that it did not appeal to a wide-enough audience. Seven months later, however, the decision was overturned. This occurred because the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) agreed to implement certain rules for further modernization. Even though wrestling in 2020 is being revised, the 2016 summer games will keep the sport and add no new changes. Wrestling defeated the calls to resign from baseball-softball, which were included together, and squash (a racquet sport). Baseball-softball took second among three finalists with 24 votes while squash received 23. It was a surprise to many fans that the ancient activity was dropped, seeing as it is one of the oldest forms of athletics.

“I was really upset when I heard that a sport that had been in the Olympics since the beginning was no longer going to be there,” senior varsity wrestler Malik Webster said. “This sport exemplifies organized athleticism, in that it takes all qualities of an aspect to be successful. I’m glad the committee has realized this and reinstated it into the 2020 Olympics.”

To increase the likelihood of the sport being reinstated, FILA altered the rules of the game to make wrestling more exciting. For example, scoring has been doubled and wrestlers who are more offensive are rewarded more points leading to less clinches, which is when both competitors hold on to each other to avoid accidental punching and to regain wind. Additionally, two weight classes were added for women and two were dropped for men to increase competition.

“I think it’s really awesome that wrestling is going to be back in the Olympics. Wrestling is a sport that means a lot to me because everybody in my family has wrestled. I hope to one day be able to watch a child of my own wrestle,” senior varsity wrestler Vicente Lopez said. “It’s a sport that turns boys into men and definitely deserves more attention than it gets, hopefully this starts to turn some heads in the right direction.”

A sport that has been around since ancient Greece, wrestling has reclaimed its spot in the most popular sporting event in the world. The future of wrestling looks bright as the sport continues to be modernized and appeal to all kinds of individuals.