Blood, sweat and tears are contributed to the cause daily. Individuals push their body to the point of total exhaustion and sometimes nausea while maintaining a disciplined diet. They walk into the spotlight in front of crowds of all sizes equipped only with a singlet, headgear, wit, guile, physical skills and mental toughness to compete in an event that provides no excuses, and no one else to blame. Who in their right mind would choose to subject himself or herself to this type of abuse? The partial answer is athletes who have chosen the sport of wrestling. As far as being in their right mind I am not so sure. The follow up question is Why?

It is not a question easily answered even by those who have participated in what is arguably the world of sport’s most grueling competition. The decision to be a wrestler is not always an obvious one. While all the neighborhood boys and girls were playing baseball, soccer, football or basketball wrestlers did not play at wrestling. Hey, let’s head down to the beach and throw each other around is not a comment often overheard on summer vacation. Early on, some youngsters are drawn to the fun padded room where they get to do what comes naturally, wrestle. However, a visit to any tournament where kids under the age of eight are competing, and tears are flowing, will provide proof that some children are no longer having what they would classify as a good time. But still, a percentage of them endure. Their numbers diminish as the eight year olds become middle school and high school wrestlers. So, why do some stay while others decide to pursue other endeavors? And what is the reward for their dedication?

One could argue convincingly that some athletes continue to wrestle because they are good at it. The more caustic observer might suggest that most wrestlers are not athletically gifted enough to compete in anything else so they choose wrestling. I have to admit that both arguments have some merit. Of course, there are numerous examples to support contrary points of view. Personally, I think the reason that people quit is that the sport is just too damn hard. Wrestling is especially difficult considering the time and effort required to achieve consistent success. Certainly, one of the main reasons for enduring the pain of exhaustive training and sacrificing meals is the unequalled feeling of triumph over self doubt, anxiety, the scale AND a worthy opponent. But I believe that there are additional awards that await those who persevere, and they have far greater and longer lasting value than those attained through match victories.

No other sport prepares you for a successful life like wrestling. Of course, definitions of a “successful life” are as numerous as the people trying to define it. However you define it, if your description has any merit at all, living your version of a successful life will require self sacrifice, discipline, dedication to a greater good, intestinal fortitude in times of difficulty, steadfastly holding on to your beliefs during times of adversity, and the ability to pick yourself up off the ground, dust yourself off, and move on with your life after being knocked out by one of life’s inevitable devastating blows. How can wrestling prepare you for all of this? A quality wrestling program will expose you to comparable, though less severe, situations numerous times and provide you with the tools to.

In my opinion, and coincidentally, the opinion of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, a top notch wrestling program not only teaches wrestlers how to win matches but much more importantly how to “win” at life.

I have already discussed my litmus test for an acceptable definition of a “successful life”. The short version being that if your concept of living a “successful life” does not require, among other things, overcoming adversity and dedication to a greater good, then it is a flawed view. My rationale is admittedly self-serving and somewhat circular, but what the heck, all wrestlers are trained to survive in an encircled environment.

Although wrestling is perceived as an individual sport, the best programs train their wrestlers to compete as a team. Your teammates count on you to not only to do your best, but also to push them to exceed their limits. Sometimes someone must sacrifice personal success for that of the team. Unselfishness is a valuable lesson, especially for high school and college age students some of whom have adopted the motto of street signs – “One Way”. The quality individual will pursue his or her personal best as long as it doesn’t interfere with the goals of the team, and in addition, push teammates to do the same. Any coach would love to have such an individual, and any CEO would feel likewise.

Sadly, life provides us all with numerous opportunities to face and overcome adversity and disappointment. The severity can vary from personal injury to failed relationships to the most devastating – loss of a loved one. The degree of challenging situations in wrestling fall somewhere within the spectrum defined above.  Wrestlers experience gut wrenching physical and emotional pain. In the best situations, wrestlers are taught to deal with a variety of obstacles that may trip them up on the way to their goals – grades, weight, injuries, opponents, parents, and unfavorable calls. Most learn to prepare as best they can for the expected. When suffering an unanticipated setback two paths present themselves – simply quit, or gather yourself, learn from the experience, and work even harder to prepare better next time. A wrestler is strongly guided towards the latter – repeatedly. When a wrestling career comes to an end, whether on a positive or negative note, wrestlers who prepared and competed by constantly pushing themselves beyond their perceived personal limits will have no regrets.

Come to think of it, that is not a bad epitaph – “No Regrets”.

copyright © 2008 Commack Wrestling Association