Wrestling is present all around us in nature, from bears to cheetahs to tigers and orangutans
However, the sport not only requires an intense number of hours training at the sport, but also running and general training at the gym to optimise one’s physical abilities.
Unlike other combat sports, to be able to excel at wrestling you must have a wide range of different skills all combined.
A common misconception with this sport is that like other combat sports, is dangerous.
Wrestling is not remotely dangerous, choking, biting and striking with the elbow and knee are all prohibited.
Within the world of combat sports, all of them require a notable amount of technique and physical strength.
But it is thought by some that wrestling is purely based on size and strength,
And although these are factors, it also requires a combination of strength, speed, flexibility, and precision.
To be able to be the best at this sport, you need the flexibility of a gymnast, the endurance of a marathon runner, the explosiveness of a sprinter, the mind of a chess master and the strength of a weightlifter.
Whether its manoeuvring around your opponent or predicting their next move, the sport is very physically exerting.
In a competition you are cast into weight classes, to keep the competition fair.
A Olympic wrestling match is made up of two three- minute periods with a 30 second interval in-between.
The winner of the match is determined to the wrestler who scores the most collective points.
Points are won by pinning down their opponent.
Wrestling is also considered to be one of the oldest sports on this earth.
Qusay Dekkoun, a 17-year-old, training in the sport, said “At the end of the day, there is nothing more rewarding then knowing that you did your best at an extremely challenging sport.”
“Not to mention getting up and knowing you won.”
Wrestling is such a unique sport that everyone must try a least once in their life, and for all you know, you may end up loving it.
All the while improving your physical health.
