It was the first time that the sport was included in the Olympic program; it would become an official sport twelve years later at the 2000 Games. A total of 120 men and 62 women from 35 nations competed in eight weight classes.
It was a milestone event as the sport made its debut in the Olympic program; it would be officially recognized a decade later at the 2000 Games. In this inaugural year, 120 male and 62 female athletes from 35 countries participated in eight distinct weight classes.