Yes

by Hannah Hinkle

Created on: December 10, 2010   Last Updated: June 23, 2011

Miriam-Webster defines an athlete as a person that is trained or skilled in exercises, sports or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina. With this definition in mind, the argument on whether or not or professional wrestlers should be considered athletes has been an argument that has been ongoing for decades.   Anyone whom has followed the profession up close and personal either working for an organization, or just a lifelong fan can tell you that the athleticism required to perform on a nightly basis for some wrestlers is very real.

While there are storylines and scripts that are followed for entertainment purposes, the scripting doesn’t take away from the legitimacy of the physical interaction, and that is what makes wrestling a sport and wrestlers athletes. Yes moves are performed in certain ways to ensure the wrestlers suffer the least amount of physical damage as possible but that doesn’t mean that it is any less of a sport, or a physical exercise. Look at the long list of retired wrestlers, and see which ones still have all of their original joints, no scars, and their own teeth.  The physicality of it all is 100% real and so are the injuries. 

While the outcome of the match may be predetermined, that doesn’t take away from the fact, you still must spend hours training for each match to ensure it is delivered accurately and seamlessly. Not only for the safety of the wrestlers, but for the sake of entertaining the fans.  Football players have practiced plays, wrestlers have learned moves. It takes a great deal of physical strength, agility, speed, and both mental and physical discipline for these men and women to do what they do. Everything is done in specific ways, and you must be completely alert and in control of your body at all times to properly execute even the simplest looking moves.  If you are even the slightest bit off of your game, you could seriously injury yourself and those in the ring with you.  Other people’s lives are literally in your hands, and anything can happen at any time.    

Currently I volunteer for a charity wrestling organization, helping them behind the scenes whenever I can, and I can tell you first hand that they are all athletes.  The moves are not easily executed, and most can be quite painful, and difficult to execute.  The repetitive falling, catching, lifting and dropping, over and over is highly exhausting and indeed not for the weak.  Wrestling companies are enforcing that their performers be in the best shape possible, and like any other sport they are required to undergo routine physicals to make sure they are healthy enough for competition. There are even several sports hospitals looking into long term brain damage effects in athletes, which include wrestlers.

Before you say no they are not athletes, challenge yourself  to step into a wrestling ring, and learn even the most basic of wrestling maneuver; proper falling procedures. It is always the first thing learned in any wrestling school, and many often are lying on ice packs for days after a day of practicing “bumps” as their called.

Wrestling is a very strenuous highly physical sport. Even though there are storylines, and scripts, its professionals should be given the respect of being called athletes.  Not everyone is capable of doing what they do. It takes a special kind of human to be willing to put their body on the line to entertain others. The scripts and storylines provide entertainment and structure to the program; however, it takes dedication, hard work, strength, and passion to pull off each and every match.  It takes trust and teamwork on the part of all participants in the ring also. All of these qualities together are what make wrestling a sport, and its performer’s athletes.

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