Olympic tournaments have used a variety of formats over the years in regards to judging. According to the system currently in use, wrestlers in each weight category are paired off at random. Winners in this first round advance to table A, losers to table B. Competitions continue in both tables. Wrestlers who lose in table B are eliminated. Classification rounds continue until only two undefeated wrestlers are left in table A. These two wrestlers compete for the first and second place. In table B, the classification rounds continue until two wrestlers are left. These two wrestlers compete for third and fourth place. The last two wrestlers to lose in table B compete for fifth and sixth place. Places seven and eight are awarded to the two remaining wrestles who have gained the most match points. Wrestling is the only sport with a maximum weight limit.

A match is terminated as a result of a fall or if one of wrestler achieves a 10 point head. A fall is declared when a wrestler holds an opponent so that both of his shoulder era against the mat. If the five-minute mark is reached without a fall or 10point lead, the wrestler with the most points is declared the winner if he has scored at least three points. In tie cases, a minute sudden death overtime period is used. An overtime is also used if neither wrestler has earned three points. If at the need of the overtime period neither of the wrestlers has scored three points, the referee, the judge and the mat chairman choose the winner by majority vote.

In Greco-Roman wrestling, the use of the legs for squeezing, pressing, or lifting an opponent is prohibited, and no holds may be made below the hips. In greco roman, unlike in freestyle, it is necessary to accompany an opponent to the mat during a take-down. The system of scoring is the same as in freestyle wrestling. Despite its name, Greco-Roman wrestling was actually created in nineteenth century France. It was called Greco-Roman in honour of the ancient cultures that originated modern sports.