Comparison of Junior Wrestlers’ Progression in Asia and Europe

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse the longitudinal career outcomes of wrestlers who participated in U20
European and Asian Championships between 2014 and 2022.
Methods: A total of 1,480 athletes competing in freestyle wrestling across all weight categories were included. Data on their
careers, retrieved from the official United World Wrestling database, covered performances at U17, U20, U23, and seniorlevel
international events (Continental, World Championships, and Olympic Games). Athletes were classified by U20 results
(all participants, medallists, winners) and tracked across subsequent stages.
Results: The average number of participants per weight category was higher in Europe (13.04) than in Asia (9.15),
indicating greater competition density. Performance analysis at U20 level revealed that 41.84% of Asian wrestlers became
medallists, and 10.93% winners, compared to 28.75 and 7.67% in Europe (P< .01). European athletes, however, showed
stronger continuity at subsequent stages: 62.65% of U20 participants had competed at U17 level and 52.25% advanced
to U23, compared to 39.15 and 25.40% in Asia (P< .01). At senior Continental Championships, Asian wrestlers recorded a
higher share of medallists (12.34 vs. 6.68%, P< .01), while European wrestlers demonstrated greater transition rates among
medallists and champions. At the World Championships and Olympic Games, no statistically significant differences were
found, with both continents showing broadly similar progression patterns.
Conclusions: While European athletes more often progressed through U17 and U23 stages, Asian wrestlers achieved
comparable outcomes at the senior level, including World Championships and Olympic Games. Regional differences appear
mainly at developmental stages, whereas elite-level performance converges, underlining the role of U20 competition and
national systems in shaping future champions.