USA Wrestling reveal Rio 2016 qualification procedure for men's Greco-Roman and freestyle athletes

London 2012 gold medallist Jordan Burroughs is already assured of a place at the trials ©Getty Images

Athlete selection procedures for men’s Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling have been confirmed by USA Wrestling, with competitors set to be targeting places at Rio 2016 in the country’s Olympic team trials next year.

Olympic medallists, including London 2012 champions Jordan Burroughs and Jake Varner, are guaranteed a place at the trials, which are due to be held in Iowa City from April 8 to 10, while any podium finisher at the 2012, 2013 and 2014 World Championships also receive a spot.

They will be joined by team members from the American team for the 2015 World Championships, which were held earlier this month in Las Vegas.

Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, Andy Bisek and James Green have been given byes through the first stage of the trials after winning medals at the Championships in front of their home crowd but they will be forced to face winners from the opening stages in a best of three match play-off to secure their Olympic place.

Further wrestlers will earn trial places at the Bill Farrell International Open in November, with the highest placed medal winning athlete in each weight category set to advance their bid for Olympic selection.

The top seven finishers in each weight category at the 2015 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier in December will also reach the event in April, while medal winners at January’s Dave Schultz Tournament who are yet to secure a berth at the trials will also advance.

Kyle Snyder who became the United States' youngest wrestling world champion will hope to book his Rio 2016 spot — Kyle Snyder, who became the United States' youngest wrestling world champion, will hope to book his Rio 2016 spot ©Getty Images

Furthermore, American champions at the Pan American Championships in February, or those who qualify in their weight category at March’s Pan American Olympic Qualifier, will be added to the event, as well as champions at the NCAA Division I Championships.

A final chance U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier for those yet to qualify for the trials is due to be held at the start of April prior to the crucial qualification competition getting underway.

To date 26 wrestlers have already sealed their places at the trials, where six places in both the Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling squads will be decided.

Currently the selection procedure for the women’s freestyle squad has not been confirmed.