[1] Heavyweight was the heaviest category, including wrestlers weighing over 87 kilograms (191.8 lb).

[2] This freestyle wrestling competition continued to use the "bad points" elimination system introduced at the 1928 Summer Olympics for Greco-Roman and at the 1932 Summer Olympics for freestyle wrestling, removing the slight modification introduced in 1936 and used until 1948 (which had a reduced penalty for a loss by 2–1 decision).

This elimination continued until the medal rounds, which began when 3 wrestlers remained.

[2][1] Kerslake took 5th place over Kangasniemi due to head-to-head results from round 3.

Mekokishvili then defeated Antonsson to win the gold medal at 2–0 against the other medalists.