Wrestling For Success

Recently, I signed up for a basic wrestling class.

According to Wrestling Federation of Singapore, ‘Wrestling has always been a very popular sport throughout recorded history. The history of wrestling can be traced back 15,000 years through cave drawings in France.

Babylonians and Egyptians reliefs show wrestlers using most of the holds known to the present-day sport…’

Amateur wrestling is now an Olympic Sport governed by FILA rules and regulations.

My wrestling class was supervised by Head Coach, Sergei Beloglazov, who is a Olympic Gold Medalist and a six-time World Champion. I was trained by Mr. Gabriel Huang, a National Wrestling Champion.

You are probably wondering, what is a 200-year old dinosaur (T-Rex species) like me doing in a wrestling class?

According to the advertising brochure, wrestling is ‘safe and fun and at the same time develops discipline, drive, self-reliance and self-confidence.’

Mostly, I was there to provide the wrestlers a good laugh.

My coach says if I can throw the wrestlers on the floor, I will win points.

I almost always win; one look at my body, they will definitely be on the floor – rolling with laughter.

Other times, I win because they will laugh until they have stomach cramps.

They told me wrestling is a good sport for slimming down. Unfortunately, my body and fats have become good friends and refused to be separated.

Now you know why every time I go into a lift, it HAS to go DOWN.

I did go DOWN again and again in wrestling class. Every fat or scrawny boy is able to throw me to the floor.

I was really not fit enough for wrestling.

At the first lesson, my coach wanted me to touch my toes. I told him, “I am not in such a close relationship with my toes. Is it okay if I just wave at them?”

Despite my failure to be a WWE Wrestling Champion, jokes aside, I have learned useful lessons that can help me achieve success in life.

Wrestling taught me that preparation is one of the keys to opening the door to success.

The harder I work and prepare myself, the better a wrestler I will become.

Once the whistle is blown, the number of points I will win is determined by the extensiveness of my preparation.

Wrestling taught me how to make use of my complete being so as to improve my performance.

It includes winning spirit, mental strength, physical fitness, cutting-edge strategies, undaunting courage, intelligent responses, clean living, and massive action.

Wrestling taught me how to wrestle, like Jacob, with our Creator. It taught me how to wrestle with challenges in life to achieve success.

Wrestling taught me about leadership.

Alone on the mat, I have to lead myself.

If I cannot lead myself, I cannot lead others to success.

To lead myself, I have to learn teamwork. I need to practice with different partners and work as a team with my coach and other people.

Wrestling taught me I must make full use of everything around me to succeed.

A wrestler must make full use of the ring, ropes, floor, coaches and the clock. In the same way, I must be mindful about the changing environment around me and be able to capitalize on it for my success.

Wrestling taught me vital qualities to be an achiever.

They include commitment, attitude, leadership, goal setting, discipline, sacrifice, work ethic, self-confidence, never-give-up spirit, and constant improvements.

Wrestling taught me I must learn how to operate under pressure.

Wrestlers need to take mental stress and physical punishments.

They must be able to handle injuries and persevere until the match is over.

I have learned that these and many other qualities of a good wrestler are also qualities that can help me to go far in my life.

Go4It!

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

Please go to ‘Notes’ found below my profile picture.

Visit my Inspiration blog at http://liewinspiration.wordpress.com

Visit my Transformation blog at http://hsrpatrickliew.wordpress.com

Please read them and continue to teach me.

Life is FUNtastic!

 

Question: How can we wrestle with the challenges in life and come out as a winner?