[1] Welterweight was the fourth-heaviest category, including wrestlers weighing 67 to 73 kilograms (147.7 to 160.9 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).

Smith had won two bouts by fall and two by decision coming into the medal round, leading at 2 points.

Berlin had taken only one bout by fall and three by decision before the medal round, coming in at second place with 3 points.

Each wrestler earned 4 points in the medal rounds (1 win by decision, 1 loss), so their rank order did not change.