Heavyweight, Freestyle (>87 kg), Men

No international freestyle events had been contested since the 1924 Olympics, so it was difficult to choose a favorite. There were only seven entrants in this class. Switzerland’s Henri Wernli was the defending silver medalist, but he lost in the semi-finals to American Ed Don George, who then lost in the final match to Sweden’s Johan Richthoff, who went home with gold. Richthoff had defeated Finland’s Aukusti Sihvola in round one, but Sihvola won two matches in the second-place tournament to take the silver medal. The bronze went to France’s Edmond Dame, who defeated George in the third-place tournament’s only match.

In 1932, Richthoff returned for a second gold medal, becoming the first heavyweight wrestler to defend their title, in either style, at the Olympics.