Objective of the study was to substantiate the importance of physical training of junior athletes engaged in freestyle wrestling. Methods and structure of the study. The article is concerned with the need to increase training loads imposed on 7-10 year-old athletes to develop their physical qualities using a theoretical analysis and observation method. Results and conclusions. The article deals with the issue of physical training of junior wrestlers. The author examines the problem from the perspective of the changing age limits for those involved. In this view, the author proves that the training methodology and educational-training programs, as well as the training lesson plan, fail to pay adequate attention to the improvement of physical training of 7-10 year-old athletes. The article also reveals a contradiction between the expanded involvement of juniors in wrestling and insufficient attention to the wrestling training methods aimed to develop physical qualities in junior athletes. The author presents the main concepts of the process of development of junior wrestlers’ physical qualities for successful technical-tactical training, among which is the demonstration of maximum strength, high level of overall and static endurance to maintain static and static-dynamic postures in a bout, etc. The need for physical training at the initial training stage is substantiated.