The Art of Embracing the Grind
Socrates once said, "I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler." Wise words considering being fleet of foot is how a wrestler starts his day. One of the most beneficial lessons a wrestler will learn is that this sport requires an insane work ethic. Waking up before the sun rises for early morning runs, fasting to meet a desired weight, sacrificing a social life in order to train and compete - these are only a few of a wrestler’s duties.
Wrestling, in particular, is thought to require more individual commitment than most other sports due to the nature of the training and competing itself. More enduringly than any other sport, wrestling teaches self-control and pride. In addition, wrestling is an individual sport and the athlete experiences both failure and success as an individual. Every wrestler will lose at least once in their career and this teaches them to always be respectful and remain humble. As a result, the wrestler endures more physical, emotional, and psychological stress, both positive and negative, than an athlete in another sport.
Wrestlers, due to the weight class requirements, have to maintain their focus and drive around the clock for years at a time. While I acknowledge that nearly all athletes at an elite level have a tremendous amount of drive, wrestlers in particular seem to operate at a higher level of physical and mental fortitude. Olympic gold medalist Dan Gable maintains that: "Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy."
In 2002, professors Daniel Gould and Kristen Dieffenbach published a study in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology which noted that Olympic champions display higher levels of specific attributes directly linked to success, in particular emotional intelligence. Their research showed that these elite athletes displayed high levels of stress management, interpersonal skills, and self-regard.
You are going to be faced with many decisions in your life and getting involved with wrestling is one of the best decisions you could make! What you learn in wrestling can be translated into nearly any endeavor. Keep in mind that, like anything, what you get out of wrestling is determined by how much effort you are willing to put in. In order to grasp its maximum benefit, be prepared to put forth 110% in training and competitions.
Wrestling, in particular, is thought to require more individual commitment than most other sports due to the nature of the training and competing itself. More enduringly than any other sport, wrestling teaches self-control and pride. In addition, wrestling is an individual sport and the athlete experiences both failure and success as an individual. Every wrestler will lose at least once in their career and this teaches them to always be respectful and remain humble. As a result, the wrestler endures more physical, emotional, and psychological stress, both positive and negative, than an athlete in another sport.
Wrestlers, due to the weight class requirements, have to maintain their focus and drive around the clock for years at a time. While I acknowledge that nearly all athletes at an elite level have a tremendous amount of drive, wrestlers in particular seem to operate at a higher level of physical and mental fortitude. Olympic gold medalist Dan Gable maintains that: "Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy."
In 2002, professors Daniel Gould and Kristen Dieffenbach published a study in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology which noted that Olympic champions display higher levels of specific attributes directly linked to success, in particular emotional intelligence. Their research showed that these elite athletes displayed high levels of stress management, interpersonal skills, and self-regard.
You are going to be faced with many decisions in your life and getting involved with wrestling is one of the best decisions you could make! What you learn in wrestling can be translated into nearly any endeavor. Keep in mind that, like anything, what you get out of wrestling is determined by how much effort you are willing to put in. In order to grasp its maximum benefit, be prepared to put forth 110% in training and competitions.
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