Wrestling is an activity that combines strength, speed, and strategy. Wrestlers attempt to throw their opponents to the ground or pin them so that they cannot get up for a set period of time. There are various types of wrestling with the most well-known being Greco-Roman, freestyle, and collegiate. Each style has its own rules and regulations. Let’s discuss this in more detail to see if wrestling is a sport.
What is wrestling?
Wrestling is a combat sport involving grappling using both takedowns and holds. The goal is to win by completing a pin, win by submission, or by the opposing wrestler’s disqualification for breaking the rules. All forms of wrestling are practiced on a mat or on a raised platform called a wrestling board which is surrounded by a fence called a cage.
Wrestling was found as early as 4000 BC, in ancient civilizations including the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Greece.
How to Wrestle
Before you start wrestling, there are a few rules you’ll want to keep in mind. First, you can’t be wearing loose clothing that an opponent could use to his advantage. Shirts should be tucked in, and pants should be either tight-fitting or have elastic at the bottom.
Types of Wrestling
There are two main types of wrestling: Greco-Roman and freestyle. While the two types both require throwing your opponent to the ground and pinning him for one second, there are some key differences between them.
– Greco–Roman wrestling is an Olympic sport that originated in 19th century Europe. It’s the oldest form of wrestling, and the rules are pretty strict. In Greco-Roman, you can’t throw your opponent to the ground from a standing position. Instead, you have to use a technique called a “toss,” which involves lifting your opponent with your thighs and tossing him backward over your head. Another rule in Greco-Roman is that you can’t pin your opponent’s shoulders to the ground. Instead, you have to pin his hips and waist.
– Freestyle wrestling is also an Olympic sport. Unlike Greco-Roman, in Freestyle you can throw your opponent to the ground from a standing position or while grappling on the mat. You can also hold him down with your hands, legs, or feet. The only difference is that you can’t use Greco-Roman’s “Hip toss” technique.
Key Terminology in Wrestling
– Attack: the action of trying to gain control of an opponent or territory. Wrestlers are not allowed to go outside of the mat so you can push your opponent into a corner.
– Defense: action taken to prevent ones self from being attacked.
– Escape: the act of breaking free from an opponent’s control or hold.
– Pin: to hold an opponent on the ground with sufficient force to prevent him from escaping.
– Submission: any hold applied to the body which compels a person to yield
– Throw: to lift and discharge an opponent from a standing position by the use of the legs and arms. There are rules about this and you have to follow these as a referee will disqualify if you don’t.
What is a sport?
The word “sport” is used as a synonym for physical activity or exercise. You might say that someone is a “sport” because they are active and fit. But what does it mean to be a sport? In the broad definition, it means a physical activity that requires certain skills.
Stricter definitions also require that sports have a competitive element. An activity needs 3 components before it can be considered a sport according to these definitions:
1/ A physical activity
2/ That requires a skill
3/ And has a competitive element
In today’s world, most sports involve competitive games where the goal is to beat your opponent. This means that you can’t participate in a sport without having an opponent.
A lot of sports can be viewed on TV and a lot of people have a favorite athlete. This can inspire them to start practicing this sport as well.
Is wrestling a sport? Is Wrestling in the Olympics?
Let’s take a look if wrestling is a sport based on the previous definitions.
Wrestling has a physical element as wrestlers have to move a lot. This can require a lot of energy as it is a very intense activity. Most wrestling matches don’t last very long for this reason.
Wrestling also requires a lot of skills. With the correct technique, wrestlers are able to pin down their opponent. They have to be able to defend at all times so you have to be careful when you attack. This can take years of training. Most wrestlers have several coaches so that they can improve their technique.
There is also a competitive element in wrestling. Wrestlers have to make sure that they can pin down their opponent. There is a referee that makes sure that everyone follows the rules. There are tournaments and contests that allow wrestlers to show their skills. In the end, the winner gets a medal. Professional wrestlers spend a lot of time perfecting their technique so that they can win.
Wrestling is an Olympic sport.
To conclude, we can state that wrestling is a sport. It has all the elements that are required to define it as such.
Source
https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/sport
