About Wrestling

[bushido_man96]

You did specify Olympic TKD, but I just wanted to point out that they probably began by learning a more self-defense oriented style.

You're probably right on that one. I don't think many people walk into a TKD school, without training, and tell the instructor their primary reason for training is to get into the olympics.

You are mostly correct here, I think. There are some elite level athletes that could come in and do this, but those very gifted people are very few and far between. We have a guy who played NCAA Div. 1 college football at KSU working for our Police Deptartment, and he has signed up for classes. As a white belt, he is doing some things that just make you say, "Man, this guy could be really something special." Things just come natural for him.

[ps1]

My BJJ instructor is one of those kind. He played Baseball in College. His timing and rythm are amazing. Very atheletic.

[bushido_man96]

My BJJ instructor is one of those kind. He played Baseball in College. His timing and rythm are amazing. Very atheletic.

Makes me jealous!!

[baronbvp]

This is a good discussion. I think it comes down to your definition of martial art versus martial sport, and martial artist versus martial athlete.

If we agree that "martial" is an adjective that means "warlike" or "suitable for or derived from war," then the issue is art versus sport. Art is defined by Webster as "the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance."

Tai chi is a martial art because of its spiritual aspect and long-ago combat derivation, but I doubt many would use it in a fight. The spiritual aspect of many martial arts is being minimized nowadays due to the ever-increasing search for combat-effective fighting styles and techniques. I would say that wrestling is more of a martial art now than when I did it 25 years ago. It is very effective in a fight. Anyone who takes it to its ultimate aesthetic expression, and beyond ordinary significance to them, is expressing it as a martial art. Same for boxing, Muay Thai, or even archery or fencing IMO.

I think MMA has led to the category of martial athlete, where the physical training regimen puts the importance of conditioning equal to or even ahead of that of technique. Boxers have long trained harder than most. I would advocate that boxers, Muay Thai practitioners, and MMA guys are martial athletes as well as martial artists. Same for wrestlers and anyone else who trains hard physically.

Martial arts that are martial sports, practiced by martial artists who are martial athletes.

[bushido_man96]

That is a great post, baron.

Martial arts that are martial sports, practiced by martial artists who are martial athletes.

I think this statement sums things up very well.

[baronbvp]

Thank you, Bushido Man. You are a consistently excellent poster, so I really appreciate the compliment.

I find now my conditioning and flexibility are more important than the techniques I know. And I try to find the art in my sports and the sport in my arts.

[bushido_man96]

Thank you, Bushido Man. You are a consistently excellent poster, so I really appreciate the compliment.

I find now my conditioning and flexibility are more important than the techniques I know. And I try to find the art in my sports and the sport in my arts.

That is a great way to look at it. I, too, have been trying to improve my conditioning. I am also finding that my flexibility is not what it used to be. However, I was sparring with a guy who is 6'3" tonight, and I did get my leg up to his head a few times.

Thanks for the compliment!

[baronbvp]

Wow! Nice.

I can't even quite get my legs to 90 degrees apart on the floor, nevermind a 180 degree split. My kicks are not high and I have trouble turning my hips over. I am practicing this at home since it limits me greatly in Muay Thai. I can't kick above my own waist. I can kick the heck out of a calf or low thigh, though.

[bushido_man96]

Hey, low kicks are great, too. If the rules that we spar under were different, there is a chance that my head kicks would always follow the leg kick that puts the opponent on the ground.

[Rainbow_Warrior]

What is catch wrestling ?