When you think of high school sports, one of the first things that come to mind is wrestling. According to Statista, more than 250,000 students participated in the sport between 2018 and 2019.

However, there are concerns about its safety because of the high level of contact involved, and many people wonder whether wrestling is dangerous.

Is Wrestling Dangerous?

Wrestling is potentially dangerous because of its physical intensity and the high number of injuries. For example, injuries like neck sprains, knee injuries, shoulder dislocations, ankle sprains, head injuries, and skin infections are very common in this sport. 

In the rest of this article, I’ll show you the dangers of wrestling, the injuries associated with it, and how to prevent these injuries.

What Are the Dangers of Wrestling? 

The dangers of wrestling include injuries, blindness, excessive or unhealthy weight loss, brain damage, and skin infections. As with most sports, the extent of the dangers of wrestling increases depending on the athletes’ age, susceptibility to injuries, sizes, contact forces, and fighting styles.

While physical injuries present the highest risk for wrestlers, it is also worth considering the other dangers involved.

Let’s look at each of them separately.

Unhealthy Weight Loss

In wrestling, it’s not hard to find athletes cutting weight to gain a competitive advantage in a weight class. Unfortunately, many of them use unsafe methods like food restriction, dehydration, excessive exercise, laxatives and emetics, self-induced vomiting, or other methods to achieve this goal.

One of the most commonly used methods is extreme calorie reduction. However, this practice often results in a significant loss of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. 

What’s more, calorie restriction may weaken your bones and cause muscle loss. 

Many athletes also believe that dehydration is an effective weight-loss method. Ironically, this method causes an adverse physiological effect on their body. 

In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, researchers found that a combination of calorie restriction and dehydration resulted in fatigue, anxiety, and poor performance. These methods can result in the following: 

• Heatstroke 
• Seizures
• Kidney failure
• Brain swelling 
• Death in extreme cases

The best way to avoid these problems is to lose weight healthily. 

Drinking plenty of water, reducing fatty foods, eating smaller and more frequent meals, getting plenty of sleep, and consuming a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables are some scientifically proven ways to lose weight.

Skin Infections

Because of the level of skin-to-skin contact in wrestling, skin infections are prevalent among athletes. The sweat produced during a match or practice is a perfect breeding pool for bacteria and viruses.

The most commonly reported skin infections in wrestlers are: 

• Impetigo 
• Herpes simplex 
• Tinea corporis (ringworm)
• Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections 

While these conditions may not sound too severe, the bad news is that they can spread fast. An athlete typically has contact with not only the opponent but also with his team members. 

So, the possibility of contracting an infection and spreading it to the entire team is very high.

Since contact is inevitable, proper individual and team hygiene are the best ways to prevent skin infections in wrestling. These measures include:

• Regular hand washing
• Showering after every match or practice.
• Laundering uniforms and gear with detergent and hot water.
• Regularly washing and disinfecting wrestling mats and wall pads.
• Performing daily skin checks before practices and matches.
• Reporting any skin infection or lesions to a healthcare professional.
• Using a non-scented moisturizing lotion to keep your skin from getting dry.
• Avoiding sharing towels, soaps, athletic equipment, razors, or hair clippers.

What Are the Most Common Injuries in Wrestling?

The most common injuries in wrestling are shoulder dislocations, knee injuries, elbow and ankle sprains, head injuries, and neck injuries. Many of these injuries occur when you extend a joint beyond its normal range of motion.

Besides these injuries, constant use of force or repetitive impacts on the body can result in conditions like bursitis and instability. The severity of an injury can be different from athlete to athlete. 

Arm and Shoulder Dislocations

These injuries are caused mainly by the repetitive impact of an athlete falling or being thrown on the mat. Other causes are restrictive holds, blows to the shoulder, and rotation of the arm.

Treatment depends on the severity and may include surgery, closed reduction, and immobilization. 

Minor injuries may only require physical therapy and taping.

Knee Injuries

The most common knee injuries in wrestling are the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) injuries. These ligaments are often at risk when the leg is twisted.

Another common knee injury is prepatellar bursitis, which occurs when the bursa becomes inflamed due to the constant impact of the knee on the mat. Treatment may include antibiotics, inflammatory medication, physical therapy, or surgery, depending on the type and severity of the injury.

A knee injury will likely require you to take some time off wrestling.

Neck Injuries

Some wrestling moves can put the neck in a vulnerable position and result in an injury. 

One of the most common cases is a cervical sprain or strain, which occurs when there is a tear in the tendons in the neck. Usually, you have to force your neck beyond its normal range of motion in a quick manner for you to sustain a sprain.

Treatment involves heat, ice, muscle relaxants, and physical therapy. Cases of rupture are rare but will require surgery if it happens.

Head and Face Injuries

Some of the most common injuries to the head and face are nosebleeds, cuts or scrapes, concussions, and cauliflower ears. Nosebleeds and cuts usually require some form of treatment to stop the bleeding. 

In the case of concussions, the wrestler has to stop fighting immediately and be treated.

Cauliflower ear occurs due to constant friction and bruising of the outer ear. It can cause deformity if left untreated. 

Ankle Sprains

Because you are constantly arching your body awkwardly in a wrestling match, your ankles often twist as well. When you turn or twist it beyond its normal range of motion, you tear the ligaments surrounding and supporting it.

You can treat minor ankle sprains at home with ice packs, rest, and elevation. Severe cases will require the attention of your doctor. 

How To Prevent Injuries in Wrestling

Wrestling is a highly demanding sport, and the best way to prevent injuries is by using good technique and appropriate protective equipment.

Here’s how to prevent injuries in wrestling:

• Wear headgear and a mouthguard to avoid injuries to your head.
• Train and stay in good physical condition.
• Use knee pads and braces to protect your knees, ankle, and elbows.
• Wear fitted wrestling shoes for ankle support.
• Eat healthily and manage your weight in a safe manner.
• Practice proper hygiene to prevent infections.

Wrestling, just like every other sport, has its dangers. While it is more dangerous than sports like swimming, running, or basketball, you can still take measures to prevent injuries or at least reduce their risk.

Ensure you use the appropriate headgear, mouthguard, knee pads, and braces to prevent injuries to your head, mouth, knees, ankles, and elbows. Training and staying fit during the season and off-season also helps to avoid injuries. 

Don’t forget to practice good weight management and proper hygiene.

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Ear Guards(Headgear) Best Mouth Guard Best Wrestling Shoes Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• Statista: Number of participants in U.S. high school wrestling 2018/19, by gender
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Weight Loss Practices and Nutrition in Wrestlers
• Sports Health: Cutaneous Infections in Wrestlers
• NFHS: Prevention Key to Reducing Skin Infections in High School Wrestling
• Karger Publishers: Wrestling Injuries
• Medicine Net: Knee Bursitis
• Ann Intern Med: A low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet versus a low-fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia: a randomized, controlled trial
• J Int Soc Sports Nutr: Metabolic adaptation to weight loss: implications for the athlete
• Med Sci Sports Exerc: Patterns of weight loss and regain in wrestlers: has the tradition changed?

Wrestling has been around for an estimated 15,000 years, and throughout its longevity, it has remained a top combat sport. Given its popularity, many fans wonder how it measures up to other forms of martial arts.

 Is Wrestling the Best Martial Art?

Wrestling is the best martial art. The level of technique in wrestling translates well to any other type of martial art, and it is highly recommended for those seeking careers in mixed martial arts. 

There are minor details that set wrestling apart from other martial arts and make it stand out as the superior style. Let’s look a little more closely at those reasons. 

Why Is Wrestling the Best Martial Art?

Wrestling is the best martial art because it translates so effortlessly to any other martial art. It teaches the true foundations of fighting, and it helps with a lot of the mental aspects that go into fighting. 

Whether it’s a career in MMA or another discipline, wrestling has been proven to get athletes ready for just about any combat sport. Let’s take a closer look at why this is the case.

Wrestling Provides Effortless Transitioning to Other Disciplines

Wrestling takedowns are the most effective way of bringing an opponent to the mat, which is a huge part of learning to fight in MMA. Others may train for years to learn single or double leg takedowns, but wrestlers learn these moves early on. 

Many well-known MMA fighters have a history in wrestling and claimed that it made their MMA journey easier. Some of the most well-known and successful MMA fighters come from wrestling backgrounds, including Brock Lesnar, Daniel Cormier, and Chuck Liddell. 

Wrestling Teaches the True Foundations of Fighting 

Fast-paced takedowns are an important part of any martial arts style, and wrestling teaches competitors how to do it effectively and quickly. That quickness can get you far in any martial arts style while coming in handy for self-defense as well. 

An important part of any fighting style is being light on your feet and ready for anything. Wrestling focuses heavily on these aspects, including teaching wrestlers to be quick and make their moves count. 

Wrestling also helps teach the art of escape and not leaving yourself vulnerable, which is one of the most important parts of self-defense. Wrestling focuses on reading your opponent and understanding that vulnerability can cost you. 

Mental Aspects of Attack and Defense Are Taught in Wrestling

There is much more to fighting than just knowing amazing moves. Wrestling teaches many mental aspects like watching your opponent carefully and reading their body language to attempt to predict their next move. 

Reading body language is a great trait to have in all fighting and many aspects of life. In a stressful situation, overthinking can cost you time and even your life. 

Wrestling teaches a mental toughness that can carry over into other parts of your life. 

Is Wrestling Better than BJJ?

Wrestling is better than Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in a few different aspects. Wrestling focuses on conditioning, strength, and cardio, while Jiu-Jitsu focuses on slowing down and guarding. Wrestling focuses more on takedowns and moves that can translate better to self-defense. 

Cardio in wrestling is much more intense than other martial art disciplines. 

Most of the wrestling training is making sure that a wrestler is well conditioned and in good cardio shape. While Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a good form of exercise, wrestling is much better for making sure you are fit. 

Compared to BJJ, wrestling is more fast-paced. Much of Jiu-Jitsu concerns fighting to submit to your opponent, which means that much of the fight is spent trying to find a way out of submissions. 

Wrestling is different. 

While submissions can get you a win, you can pin your opponent as well. So, many wrestlers spend their time trying to get the upper hand with quick, explosive movements. 

Takedowns are another part of wrestling that adds to its superiority. 

Learning how to properly do a takedown can translate very well to self-defense and real-world fighting. Wrestling teaches many life-saving techniques that can get you out of real trouble, while BJJ focuses more on submitting someone else. 

Is Wrestling Better than Karate?

When it comes to martial arts, wrestling is better than karate for many reasons. While karate focuses on the self, wrestling teaches valuable contact and self-defense lessons that you don’t get from karate. 

Karate is a combat sport, but that’s not all it’s good for. 

A large part of karate training is learning to become more emotionally healthy and channeling emotions through physicality. Although that is helpful to many people, channeling emotions into moves is not vital for survival, nor does it translate well to other disciplines. 

Also, Karate does not translate well to self-defense, especially if you are at a disadvantage with strength or height, because it teaches offensive kicking and punching rather than tackling or weight shifting. 

While this can be useful in certain situations, you will need to be quite strong to hit someone hard enough to knock them unconscious or get to safety. 

Wrestling tends to focus on takedowns and getting the upper hand in any combat situation, as well as a lot of conditioning. While karate will certainly help you build muscles, the main focus is your mind rather than your body. 

This can be useful for your emotional health, but wrestling will prepare you more for combat situations. 

Is Wrestling Better than Boxing?

While wrestling and boxing are similar in many ways, wrestling is better than boxing. Like wrestling, boxing can help with self-defense and transfer to many other disciplines easily, but wrestling still provides the most cardio, discipline, and all-around best use of the entire body to fight. 

Because boxing focuses on hits and quick movements, it is a good way to learn self-defense. 

Wrestling is still better for self-defense because the kicks and fast takedowns can hinder someone quickly without risking much harm to you. 

Boxing doesn’t provide the all-around workout that wrestling does. Sure, it can make you strong, but it doesn’t translate directly to cardio and body conditioning. Boxers tend to be in great shape, but wrestlers are notoriously in better shape because of their demanding discipline. 

Overall, wrestling is the best martial art. Not only does it translate better to each discipline, but it also teaches a lot of helpful self-defense techniques. While every discipline is worthwhile, wrestling is the best for all-around training and physicality. 

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Ear Guards(Headgear) Best Mouth Guard Best Wrestling Shoes Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• National Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Oldest Sport
• Bleacher Report: Chael Sonnen and the 25 Best NCAA Wrestlers in MMA History
• Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: Wrestling vs. BJJ: What’s The Difference? 
• The MMA Guru: Which Martial Art Should I Learn First?

Wrestling is a popular sport among college and high school athletes. Out of the three main types of wrestling, freestyle, folkstyle, and Greco-Roman, many people wonder which type is practiced in high school. 

What Kind of Wrestling Is High School Wrestling?

The kind of wrestling practiced in high school is known as folkstyle, though it is also known as scholastic or collegiate wrestling in both high school and college gyms. American schools teach folkstyle wrestling because it was considered a safer option than the standard style of catch wrestling. 

Throughout this article, we’ll discuss folkstyle wrestling and why it is used in high schools.  

Why Is Folkstyle Wrestling Used in High Schools?

Folkstyle wrestling is used in high schools because it originated in America as a safe wrestling style similar to catch wrestling. Because of catch wrestling’s dangerous nature, it was not widely accepted. Thus, folkstyle wrestling was created as a safer alternative.

The origins of catch wrestling are unknown. That’s because much of the documentation on catch wrestling was lost in history. 

However, catch wrestling had a lot of rich history in England throughout the late 1800s and beyond. Catch wrestling was eventually brought to America, and it grew quickly in popularity through traveling wrestling shows. 

Despite its popularity, catch wrestling was very dangerous. 

It featured many painful submissions, and the only way to win was pinfall or to make your opponent submit. 

Knowing this wasn’t feasible, America developed its own wrestling style called folkstyle, which took on parts of catch wrestling while leaving behind the more dangerous aspects. 

So, folkstyle wrestling began to take off in America, and it quickly became the standard academic wrestling style. It is now taught all over the country in high school and college. 

Is There a Difference Between Folkstyle Wrestling and Freestyle Wrestling?

There are a few differences between folkstyle wrestling and freestyle wrestling, such as pace and pinning strategies, and the points awarded throughout the match. Not only are the point systems different, but there are also differences in rules and move execution. 

While folkstyle wrestling is specific to American high school and college athletes, freestyle wrestling is more widespread. 

Folkstyle wrestling doesn’t continue beyond education, whereas freestyle is practiced in many competitions, including the Olympics. 

One major difference is pinning. 

In folkstyle wrestling, you must hold your opponent on their back for two seconds to win. Freestyle is done differently, only requiring a one-second pin. 

Freestyle is intended to be a faster-paced style of wrestling compared to folkstyle. 

While both wrestling styles follow a point system, they are set up a bit differently. For example, in freestyle wrestling, you are awarded 1-5 points depending on the intensity of a takedown, while you are awarded 2 points for every takedown in folkstyle wrestling. 

Freestyle encourages intense slams. Folkstyle only allows slams where the thrower’s body hits the mat before the person they are slamming. While these differences may seem small, they make each style of wrestling completely different.

Folkstyle wrestling focuses on planning and getting out of trouble, while freestyle is a more fast-paced style where wrestlers can be punished for delaying the match. 

How Many Styles of Wrestling Are There?

There are three main styles of wrestling: folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman. Though there are similarities in each, there are also major differences that set them apart, including throwing limitations and contact rules.

Greco-Roman wrestling first came to the Olympics in 1896. It quickly became a fan favorite and has been part of the ceremony since 1904. Since freestyle wrestling is also featured in the Olympics, there are significant differences between the two styles. 

One significant difference between the three styles is that Greco-Roman does not allow holds, trips, or throws to be done below the waist. 

This rule limits wrestlers to executing throws without involving their opponent’s legs. Compared to the other styles of wrestling, Greco-Roman tends to remove legs from the equation altogether because of the rules in place. 

Freestyle wrestling, while also an Olympic sport, is set up differently than Greco-Roman style. One major difference is that legs are more incorporated in freestyle wrestling, with fewer rules restricting the use of legs in holds and throws. 

Freestyle differs from Greco-Roman in their throwing rules also. In Greco-Roman, wrestlers must maintain contact during any type of slam or throw for it to count. Freestyle allows wrestlers to let go during a slam and resume contact once the opponent has hit the mat. 

Folkstyle and freestyle wrestling are the most similar of the three, although only folkstyle is taught in American high schools and colleges. 

What Style of Wrestling Is Best for MMA?

The style of wrestling that translates best to MMA is freestyle wrestling. Though a case can be made for Greco-Roman wrestling, there are more similarities between MMA and freestyle. 

Greco-Roman limits wrestlers on their use of legs in takedowns, submissions, and slams. Because freestyle encourages more use of legs, it is more closely tied to MMA fighting. Greco-Roman wrestlers will need to learn to be more comfortable involving their legs in their matches. 

A large part of MMA success is learning single and double-leg takedowns. Freestyle wrestling teaches those very early on. So, a freestyle wrestler will already have plenty of experience with those takedowns, while they aren’t allowed in Greco-Roman style. 

A lot of freestyle wrestling is learning to use your legs in a way that shifts your weight quickly. MMA fighters need to be quick on their feet when fighting in a cage and tackle their opponent to the ground without hesitation. 

That speed and ability to quickly shift weight can truly set freestyle wrestlers apart from other styles. 

Many successful MMA fighters come from a freestyle background. Most notably, Tito Ortiz has a background in freestyle wrestling.

Folkstyle wrestling is taught in high schools and colleges all over America, but it doesn’t continue after schooling levels. 

Once out of school, to continue wrestling, wrestlers must adapt and learn a different wrestling style to continue their careers. 

Since freestyle wrestling is closely related to folkstyle, wrestlers may choose to go that direction and continue into more fighting or even the Olympics. 

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Ear Guards(Headgear) Best Mouth Guard Best Wrestling Shoes Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• Grappling School: What Kind of Wrestling Do They Teach In High School?
• RMHS Highlighter: Wrestling Slams
• Grappling School: What Are The Differences Between Folkstyle and Freestyle Wrestling?
• Way of Martial Arts: Styles of Wrestling: Explained In Detail. 
• Evolve Daily: What’s The Difference Between Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling?
• Extreme Pro Sports: The Top Wrestling Styles of MMA

According to the ratings, professional wrestling is a popular pastime for many people all around the world. In fact, a recent episode of WWE Monday Night Raw drew in over 1.9 million viewers. With so many eyes on wrestling, many people wonder whether or not it is real. 

Is Wrestling Real?

Wrestling isn’t real because the outcomes of the matches are predetermined. While stunts like jumping off the top rope and getting slammed through a table are real, overall, wrestling is considered fake because each of the wrestlers knows the outcome before the match even begins. 

If you’re new to WWE and professional wrestling, read on! In this article, I’ll talk a little more in-depth about why wrestling isn’t real and what that means for the athletes involved in wrestling. 

Why Isn’t Wrestling Real?

Wrestling isn’t real because the finishes are predetermined, the athletes aren’t fighting to win, and there are scripted moments during a match. Because of this, wrestling isn’t considered real. 

When it comes to professional wrestling, there has always been a level of predetermination. Though this was a well-kept secret for years, eventually, the truth came out.

Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE, called wrestling fake back in the 1980s. This statement came as a shock to wrestling fans who McMahon led to believe it was real. 

McMahon spoke out about the true nature of the business in order to keep WWE exempt from traditional sporting regulations. While this revelation completely floored many fans, it was a calculated move from the chairman. 

Since that day, wrestling fans everywhere have been aware that the outcome of wrestling matches is predetermined, removing the veil of reality. Fans now understand that wrestling isn’t real because the winner of each match is chosen ahead of time.

Another reason that wrestling isn’t real is that the wrestlers aren’t truly fighting. Since they already know the ending, there’s no urgency or need to actually fight their opponent. Instead, wrestlers put on a show for the audience to make it seem like a real fight. 

Along with predetermined endings, wrestling features scripted moments or “spots,” as those in the business call them. These are moments throughout a match that are discussed and planned for before the start.

Though they are still impressive feats of athleticism done in a single take, scripted spots add to the fact that wrestling isn’t real. 

When Did Wrestling Become Fake?

Wrestling has been fake since around the 1920s, when traveling wrestling shows gained popularity. These shows were for entertainment rather than actual fighting. This was the beginning of what is now known as professional wrestling. 

These shows were the first steps into wrestling becoming more than a fighting competition. Traveling wrestling shows added flair and drama to the sport, creating something new altogether. During this time, the tagline “fake” became part of wrestling. 

Since then, wrestling has been set apart from similar sports because of the scripted finishes and artistic expression.

Even though people recognize it as fake, wrestling has continued to grow from those traveling shows. Now, you can see a professional wrestling show five nights a week on television and even more with YouTube and apps. 

Are the Hits in WWE Real?

Most of the hits you see in WWE aren’t real, although some things cannot be faked. Wrestlers do hit each other most of the time, but they’re not using their full strength to do so. Wrestlers train to put just enough force behind their hits that they look real without truly hurting their opponent.

WWE is all about entertainment, and the company has a lot of money invested in their talent. So, the plan is never to hurt the wrestler you are facing but protect them instead. 

How wrestlers protect their opponent is they make sure not to hit with their full strength. This type of hitting allows their hits to look real enough without causing any injuries to their opponent.

Remember that mistakes can happen with timing and judgment, though. So, it’s possible to see a real hit every now and then. 

Additionally, there have been times when hits by wrestlers in WWE have caused concussions and even ended careers. For example, Bret Hart’s career ended after a stiff hit from Goldberg that caused a concussion. So, real hits still happen, but they’re accidental. 

Some hits can’t be faked in professional wrestling. For example, when you see someone smack another wrestler in the back with a chair, that can’t feel good. Anytime you bring an object into a wrestling match, it’s going to hurt when used. 

Has Anyone Ever Died in the WWE?

There have been deaths in the WWE, some notably young, but only one to occur in the ring was Owen Hart. He died during a stunt. Before his match, he was supposed to be lowered to the ring on a line from the rafters. But the line snapped, dropping him over 70 feet to the ring. 

This tragedy never aired on television, but many people saw it happen live in the stadium. Many new safety measures were put in place after this tragedy, but the loss of Owen Hart has never left the minds of professional wrestling fans since it happened 22 years ago. 

Though there have been other deaths related to injuries, alcohol, and substance abuse, WWE has never experienced another tragedy quite like Owen Hart. No wrestlers have died in the ring before or since Owen, though legends like Eddie Guerrero and Curt Hennig have died at a very young age. 

Though wrestling isn’t real, it’s still a popular pastime for many viewers every week. The hits may not all connect, but there’s still a level of athleticism and finesse needed to pull off a decent-looking fake hit in one take.

Over the years, we’ve come to know wrestling as a form of entertainment rather than a real sport. But one thing is for sure, despite it not being real, wrestling certainly has kept our attention. 

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Ear Guards(Headgear) Best Mouth Guard Best Wrestling Shoes Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• Prowrestling.net: WWE Raw viewership for the Money in the Bank Fallout Edition
• Sports Keeda: 4 Incredible Sacrifices Vince McMahon Made for the WWE
• The Ringer: Wrestling Is Fake, But the Injuries Are Real
• Wikipedia: Professional Wrestling in the United States
• Cageside Seats: The New Pro Wrestling Schedule Is Bonkers
• Bleacher Report: Examining the Art of Realistic Striking in Pro Wrestling

Wrestling is considered the oldest recreational combat on earth, with history suggesting it dates back as far as 15,000 years ago. Because of its longevity and popularity, many people wonder if wrestling is classified as a sport. 

Is Wrestling a Sport? 

Wrestling is a sport as it is an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess. This sport is also a form of martial arts, which requires discipline and the necessary skills to execute moves correctly. The sport is difficult and can be dangerous to both the wrestler and their opponent.

This article will discuss the different aspects of wrestling and what makes it a sport.

What Makes Wrestling a Sport?

Wrestling is a sport because it involves training, discipline, athleticism, and combat skills. It also has a respected history that makes it more than just a fun activity and qualifies it as a sport.  

Many factors allow us to categorize wrestling as a sport. For example, wrestling requires a certain level of athleticism to be able to compete. Without proper training and cardio, it would not be easy to last even a few minutes in a match.

Like other sports, wrestling requires discipline and skill. Competing in matches can get you hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing. Without the skill needed to execute moves properly, there is a good chance you can injure your opponent as well. 

Practice makes perfect in wrestling, and that’s another factor that makes it a sport. It is vital to practice different moves, but wrestlers also need to practice with other people.

Wrestlers need to hone their craft and train their bodies to take hits without getting injured. So much training is required to become a wrestler that there is no doubt it is a sport. 

Wrestling has such a deep and respected history in ancient Greece, and it is hard to deny that it qualifies as a sport. From then to now, we have changed many aspects and shaped what wrestling is. However, there is no fundamental change to the idea that wrestling is a combat sport. 

Is Wrestling a Hard Sport?

Overall, wrestling is a hard sport because it requires extensive training. To succeed, wrestlers need to learn new techniques, build muscle, and regularly practice cardio, so they have enough strength to compete in matches. 

Beyond working out, wrestlers need to consider their diet. The body needs the proper fuel to be able to train and work as consistently as wrestlers do. Sustaining a sufficient and healthy diet is not easy, but it is just another aspect that makes wrestling difficult. 

Furthermore, most wrestlers are also required to maintain a specific weight so they’re able to compete at the right level. This can be challenging as the wrestler trains, builds muscle mass, or takes rest days, since body weight can fluctuate during those periods. 

Arguably, the most difficult part of wrestling is the mental challenge. Wrestlers always have to be ready for whatever their opponent brings. If a wrestler is not completely in sync with their opponent, someone can get hurt.

All wrestlers must not forget the mental challenge of wrestling because it is vital to their success.

Is Wrestling in the Olympics?

Wrestling is in the Olympics, and it has been since 1896. There was only one event held, but that one Olympic event paved the way for the future inclusion of wrestling throughout the competition.

Today, there are several wrestling events in the Olympics that are popular among athletes and spectators, including Greco-Roman wrestling, which refers to the specific style of wrestling and the techniques used. 

Both men and women are allowed to compete in the Olympic wrestling events. 

Is Wrestling a Team Sport?

Wrestling can both be a team sport and a solo sport. The sport is done individually and focuses on the athleticism and talent of one person at a time. However, wrestling requires the support of a team because it is nearly impossible to practice wrestling alone.

So, your teammates are there for you physically and mentally to help you better yourself.

As a wrestler, you succeed individually to be victorious, not only for yourself but also for your team. Without each wrestler’s success, the team can’t win. So, overall, wrestling is a team sport.

Is WWE Considered a Sport?

While wrestling is a sport, WWE does not get that same label because of the entertainment aspect. WWE is filled with athletes ready to compete, but since there’s a scripted ending of every match, the sports label is removed. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon once called WWE “sports entertainment.”

The term ‘sports entertainment’ implies that WWE is not a sport and allows it to become its own category.

Pro wrestling has become a popular source of entertainment, but over the years, many have debated the idea that it is a sport. So, upon coining the term sports entertainment, McMahon allowed pro wrestling to separate itself from other sports by addressing the entertainment aspect of it. 

Many people even use the word ‘fake’ to describe it. This may be harsh considering that even though there is a scripted ending, WWE wrestlers still put their bodies on the line every time they get in a ring. 

So, WWE is not officially considered a sport, but that does not stop it from being a popular source of sports entertainment all over the world. WWE is filled with strong and skillful athletes who take care of their bodies and minds to put on a show for the fans. Sport or not, WWE is a very successful athletic business.

Though many people have debated the individual aspects of wrestling, it is definitely a sport. Not only is wrestling featured in the Olympics, but it also has a deep history in the world as the first known combat sport. 

While we can debate whether WWE is a sport or if wrestling is a team sport, one thing can’t be debated. Wrestling itself continues to be a popular sport for athletes and spectators. 

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Ear Guards(Headgear) Best Mouth Guard Best Wrestling Shoes Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• NBC Olympics: Wrestling 101: Olympic History
• ESPN: Wrestling Gets Reinstated for 2020 Olympics
• Team USA: Is Wrestling A Team Or Individual Sport?

Dressed in a historical loincloth and wearing his hair in a topknot, a sumo wrestler’s goal is to force his opponent beyond the ring or knock him off his feet.

Sumo wrestling may seem funny or strange to a Western audience, but it’s a long-standing tradition of Japanese culture. Unlike your typical western wrestlers, sumo wrestlers are fat, but why is that?

Why Are Sumo Wrestlers Fat?

Sumo wrestlers are fat so that they don’t get easily pushed out from the ring by their opponents. Because a sumo wrestler’s goal is essentially to be immoveable to his opponent, being fat is to his advantage. The more mass a sumo wrestler has, the more force required to move him. 

If you’re only starting to become interested in sumo sport, it’s useful to know the secrets behind every sumo wrestler’s exercise regimen necessary for them to achieve their ideal physique. Keep reading to learn more about it.

Why Are Sumo Wrestlers Fat and Not Muscular?

Sumo wrestlers are fat because they rely on their weight to make it harder for their opponents to push them off the ring. Although not always visible, a sumo wrestler’s body also has many muscles to help them fight in the ring. 

Sumo wrestlers have a high percentage of subcutaneous fat, the fat just beneath the skin, rather than the more dangerous fat found around the internal organs. Muscle gives a sumo wrestler the strength to push his opponent, and the subcutaneous fat makes him difficult to be pushed in turn.

Additionally, sumo wrestlers have such a high concentration of subcutaneous fat thanks to a hormone called adiponectin. This hormone is released during strenuous exercise and guides fat in the blood to space under the skin. 

Underneath all that fat, sumo wrestlers are typically very strong. Their training regimen starts as early as 5 a.m. every day and lasts up to six hours, including squats, stomps, splits, and sparring matches.

The most grueling part of the workout is the butsukari, where one wrestler throws himself at another in a body slam until he collapses from exhaustion. 

A sumo wrestler’s hours-long exercise routine, combined with his high caloric intake, means he gains both fat and muscle.

Do Sumo Wrestlers Gain Weight on Purpose?

A sumo wrestler’s goal is to be immovable for his opponent. The more he weighs, the stronger his opponent has to be to push him out of the ring or knock him off his feet. So it makes sense that sumo wrestlers might want to weigh as much as possible.

Sumo wrestlers do gain weight on purpose–it just has to be the right kind of weight. They need to be as heavy as possible without sacrificing their muscle tone underneath. Additionally, they gain the weight they need by being extremely active and consuming a high-calorie diet.

A sumo wrestler’s weight is a unique combination of muscle and subcutaneous fat. He should be heavy enough to be difficult to move and strong enough to push his equally heavy opponent over the line. 

What Do Sumo Wrestlers Eat?

According to Business Insider, the average sumo wrestler eats 7,000 calories a day. Like bodybuilders, they eat food high in protein to aid in building muscle mass. They also eat massive portions to keep up with their intense exercise regimens and gain weight.

Sumo wrestlers mainly eat chankonabe, a hearty stew made of seasonal vegetables and meats typically served in a fish- or chicken-based broth. It is rich in protein and is often served with rice. It is not particularly calorie-rich compared to other foods, though, but sumo wrestlers eat a lot of it.

Additionally, sumo wrestlers eat large amounts of rice and beer. Some can even eat seven or eat rice bowls and drink six pints of beer just to consume the thousands of calories they need for their lifestyle.

Sumo wrestlers also typically live together in large, frat house-style homes, and they make a huge batch of chankonabe every day for everyone to share. However, chankonabe doesn’t have to be just for sumo wrestlers.

If you want to make your own protein-packed stew, this video on YouTube shows you how:

Eaten in small- or medium-sized portions, it’s an excellent source of nutrients. 

Are Sumo Wrestlers Healthy?

Active sumo wrestlers are healthy, but it can be hard to believe because of their appearance. Since the fat in a sumo wrestler’s body is not around his heart, liver, and other abdominal organs, he doesn’t carry the same risk of obesity-related diseases that a typical obese person does.

Because of sumo wrestlers’ high percentage of body fat, it’s easy to assume that they are prone to obesity-related diseases like diabetes.

However, active sumo wrestlers are not particularly prone to heart disease or high blood pressure. It all comes down to their exercise routine, which releases adiponectin and directs fat away from the organs.

Not all fat is the same, and subcutaneous fat doesn’t carry the same level of danger and health risk as the visceral fat found around the organs.

The key distinction is that actively training sumo wrestlers are healthy. Their organs are relatively fat-free. However, retired wrestlers often have many health problems.

If a retired wrestler continues to eat 5,000 or more calories a day but does not continue his rigorous exercise routine, he will start gaining visceral fat. This is because the wrestler is not producing large amounts of adiponectin, the hormone responsible for subcutaneous fat. 

High amounts of visceral fat are associated with an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease, meaning retired sumo wrestlers who continue to eat high-calorie diets are much less healthy than their active counterparts. 

Retired sumo wrestlers must either consume fewer calories or maintain their exercise routine. Otherwise, they become at high risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and high blood pressure. This might explain why, on average, sumo wrestlers die ten years earlier than the average Japanese man.

Sumo wrestling is an ancient sport, and the lifestyle its participants live is highly regulated. Sumo wrestlers live, eat, and train together, keeping their traditions alive every day. While the idea of two obese men wrestling probably seems odd to an outside audience, sumo wrestlers are talented athletes.

Sumo wrestlers are incredibly agile and strong, despite what their appearance may suggest. A winning sumo wrestler has to push or topple a 300- or 400-pound man (136- or 181-kilogram)–without being pushed or toppled himself. That takes impressive strength, determination, and practice, and the extra weight certainly helps.

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend: Best Ear Guards(Headgear) Best Mouth Guard Best Wrestling Shoes Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

• Web-Japan.org: What is Sumo?
• Business Insider: Sumo Wrestlers Eat Up To 7,000 Calories a Day, Yet They Aren’t Unhealthy
• PBS: How Do Sumo Wrestlers Avoid Obesity-Related Diseases?
• BBC Science Focus: Why Are Sumo Wrestlers So Fat?
• The Boston Globe: How to Eat Like a Sumo Wrestler
• Men’s Journal: Sumo Wrestling’s Healthy Secrets
• Livestrong: Sumo Wrestlers Compared to Bodybuilders
• VICE Asia: The 10,000 Calorie Diet: This Is What Sumo Wrestlers Eat
• NPR: Sumo Breakfast of Champions: Bowls and Bowls of Clay Pot Stew