Wrestling: a game of both brain and brawn

A wrestler and a chess grandmaster probably don’t have too much in common. One spends their time practicing powerlifts and takedowns, and the other hunches over a checkered board in search of the perfect checkmate. Yet wrestling requires a supreme level of intellect and strategy that can be found in few places other than on chess’ championship tables.To the uneducated eye, wrestling is little more than two brawny athletes aimlessly tossing each other across a mat. But, consider this: there are an infinite number of positions two wrestlers can hold on a wrestling mat — upside down, right-side up, legs tied, arms crossed and hands in places you certainly don’t want them. For that reason, wrestlers spend countless hours studying hundreds of moves and positions, in order to be prepared for whatever may come during a match.Third-year wrestler Daniel Murokh (’15) said that no wrestler can be successful without wit and strategy on the wrestling mat.“While wrestlers always have to be on their toes physically, it’s even more important to be on your toes mentally,” Murokh said. “Wrestlers have to be prepared to take the initiative in their attacks, and understand when to be on the defensive. They have to adapt to different styles and different moves. It can get very difficult sometimes.”Like chess pieces on a chess board, a wrestler must be aware of an opponent’s every limb. According to Murokh, a slight movement of an opponent’s hands or feet can radically alter a wrestler’s mode of attack, or force a wrestler into a defensive position. Wrestlers must accommodate instant changes, and come up with equally quick solutions. To do this successfully, a wrestler must be one of the smartest athletes around.