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The Role Models are in the Wrestling Room

                Divisive: the word commonly used to describe the current American social and political climate.  Some journalists argue that the United States is in the middle of its third most divisive time in the country’s history.  The two other eras were the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the Civil Rights Era (1954-1968).  In times of controversy, sport transcends politics, or at least it used to.  Today, American athletes tend to find themselves in the middle of political and foreign controversy; and, whether we like it or not, professional athletes are role-models to American youth.  This is why the sport of wrestling must have a larger platform in American society.  Wrestling is a sport filled to the cusp with positive role models that supersede controversy and provide a positive example to children all over the world.

Legend Dave Schultz

              

               From Dave Shultz taking it upon himself to speak Russian fluently while the U.S. was embroiled in the Cold War to the 2017 U.S. World Cup team building bridges over immigration

controversy at the 2017 World Cup in Kermanshah, Iran, American wrestlers epitomize the role model that American youth need.  Dave Schultz was cheered by Russians and Mongolians alike.  American wrestlers entered a sporting arena to the cheers of Iranian fans.  Those same Iranian fans chanted Jordan Burroughs’s name.  American wrestlers engage in diplomacy with class.  They serve as leaders in the sport and leaders in life.  These may not be the role models that America deserves with how divisive we are as a country, but they are certainly the type of role models it needs.

                From lessons on overcoming adversity, embracing challenge, being above the drama, and learning from failure, there is no better example than USA Wrestling’s 2017 World Team.  J’Den Cox won his spot on the team on one leg and again overcame diversity after a disappointing loss in the semi-finals to finish third in his weight classification.  In doing so, Cox put himself above the drama of social media and represented the United States with class.  With echoes through the wrestling world that his career was winding down, Jordan Burroughs emerged as the standard-bearer at 74 kg

Kyle Snyder after 2017 World Championship

after a less than impressive Olympic showing the previous year.  Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder welcomed the challenge of another Olympic gold medalist from Russia, Abdulrashid Sadulaev.  In what was one of the more entertaining matches in the whole tournament, Snyder, after being down early, systematically wore down the Russian to secure a World Championship.  Not only did Snyder win a title for himself, but his win over Sadulaev secured the first team championship for the United States since 1995.  Helen Maroulis showed that changing weight classes does not hinder achievement as she won a World Title without giving up a point.  Thomas Gilman extended his improbable run at the World Team Trials into the World Championships with a second place finish.  Greco-Roman veteran Robbie Smith acknowledged the failures with the Greco-Roman side, but instead of using it as an opportunity to complain, he explicitly used it as an experience to learn and grow.  All faced adversity; all faced challenges; all faced tension; yet all overcame and succeeded.  All are great lessons for children to learn; if they were listening.

World Champion Jordan Burroughs

                The list is expansive.  Wrestlers throughout American history became presidents, lawyers, authors, and congressmen and women.  Others became teachers, policemen and women, and electricians.  Wrestlers tend to be successful.  Why then, are these same stellar citizens lacking a platform like other major sport athletes?  The answer is in the question. Wrestling is not considered a major sport.  Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder, Dave Schultz, John Smith, Terry Brands, Dan Gable; none of these men have the same platform outside of the wrestling community as Lebron James or Tom Brady has outside of their sport.  Without a professional platform, our next generation loses the opportunity to learn from some amazing individuals.  These individuals portray dedication, hard work, and more importantly, an innate ability to eliminate borders and be a citizen of the world.  

World Champion Helen Maroulis

                 Imagine if Dave Schultz, Kevin Jackson, Dan Gable, or John Smith were given the same platform as Michael Jordan in their prime?  America needs a Jordan Burroughs, Helen Maroulis, and/or Kyle Snyder with the same platform as Lebron James.  Who better to talk to the young men and women of this country that those that took part in bridging the divide between Iranian and American relationships?  Who better to discuss the value of embracing diversity and foreign influence?  Who better to not only explain, but exhibit the traits need to be successful in sport, the same traits that are valuable in being successful in life?  Who better to talk about speed bumps, pitfalls, challenges, and failures in life than the American wrestler?  If searching for that role model that overcomes politics, and transcends sport, look to the athletes in USA Wrestling.  Look to the men and women that shake hands with the Russians, put their arms around the Iranians, and embrace the diversity of all countries around the world.

LOOK TO A WRESTLER IF YOU WANT A ROLE MODEL!

2017 UWW World Champion Freestyle Team: United States of America