This is a first in Olympic history. The competitions in three different weight categories – fly weight (51kg), light weight (60 kg) and middle weight (75 kg) ? kicked off today with the finals scheduled for 9 August.
In the last 20 years, the IOC has steadily increased the number of women?s events on the Olympic programme, in cooperation with the International Federations (IFs) and the Organising Committees. Since 1991, all new sports wishing to be included on the Olympic programme must feature women?s events.