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UWW updates ranking series system for LA 2028 Olympic qualification

United World Wrestling has overhauled its ranking system ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification cycle.

By , Sports writer

· 2 min read

United World Wrestling
United World Wrestling (file photo) Photo: U.S. Army USAWCAP by Stephen Warns / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

United World Wrestling has introduced a revised Ranking Series points system effective January 1, 2027, designed to reward match victories more directly in the race to LA 2028. Three wrestlers per Olympic weight category will qualify through UWW Rankings.

Key takeaways

  • New UWW Ranking Series points system takes effect January 1, 2027.
  • Three wrestlers per Olympic weight category qualify via UWW Rankings.
  • World Championships and Olympics award 40,000 points to winners.
  • Best five results count toward LA 2028 eligibility.
  • Three Ranking Series stops are planned for 2027 plus one in early 2028.

United World Wrestling has updated its Ranking Series points system effective January 1, 2027, as part of the qualification cycle for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The world governing body said the new system will reward match victories more directly and strengthen the role of Ranking Series events in the race to LA 2028. The qualification cycle begins on January 1, 2027.

Olympic qualification framework

Under the Olympic qualification framework, three wrestlers per Olympic weight category will qualify through the UWW Rankings. The 2027 World Championships will offer 72 quotas across 18 Olympic weights, with six each for freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling.

The second phase is the UWW Rankings, where the first three wrestlers not already qualified obtain one quota place for their NOC.

The 2028 Asian Championships will offer two quotas per weight class, and the World Olympic Qualifier will have 18 quotas, with only the gold medallist in each weight class qualifying. Only countries without a quota from the previous three phases can enter the World Qualifiers.

Point allocation

At World Championships and Olympic Games, the winner receives 40,000 points, compared with 20,000 at Ranking Series events and 10,000 at continental championships and continental games. Wrestlers receive additional points for every bout won, with varying bonus.

Wrestlers who compete but do not win a bout receive a smaller participation allocation. Wrestlers who are disqualified or forfeit without being ranked will not receive ranking points. If only one wrestler is registered in a weight category, that athlete will receive participation points only.

Fixed placement points will be reduced by 50 percent in weight categories with fewer than eight athletes.

From 11th place onwards at the World Championships, Olympic Games and Ranking Series, and from seventh place at Continental Championships and Continental Games, wrestlers must win at least one bout to receive fixed placement points.

Ranking events and next steps

UWW rankings will be based on three Ranking Series events in 2027 and one in early 2028. Points from the 2027 World Championships and two Asian Championships (2027, 2028) will be added.

The world body will consider the best five results of a wrestler as eligible events for LA 2028. The continental games may be included in the UWW Rankings subject to a decision by the UWW Bureau.

India women’s team coach Virender Dahiya said wrestlers will have to focus on improving their ranking during the qualification period, meaning a hectic schedule next year competing in three ranking series events, Asian Championships and World Championships.

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