RealTalkAJ

Folkstyle and Freestyle Wrestling

Why Wrestling Is the Sport I Follow Most — A Personal Reflection on Folkstyle and Freestyle

Wrestling is more than a sport to me—it’s a part of my identity. It’s something I’ve dedicated years of my life to, something that shaped who I am mentally, physically, and emotionally. When people ask me why I follow wrestling—especially folkstyle and freestyle—with such passion, the answer runs deeper than just enjoying competition. It’s tied to experience, community, and perspective. Wrestling is demanding, raw, and honest. It doesn’t let you hide. And that’s exactly why I love it.

I Wrestled Both Styles Myself

I didn’t just grow up watching wrestling—I lived it. Both folkstyle and freestyle became second nature to me. I understand how they differ, how they push you in unique ways, and how mastering both takes serious grit. Folkstyle taught me to control and ride my opponent, emphasizing mat returns, pressure, and endurance. Freestyle forced me to focus on explosive scoring, exposure, and technique efficiency—where the margin for error is even thinner.

Wrestling both styles gave me a comprehensive understanding of the sport. It sharpened my skills year-round, and made me a more complete wrestler. And now, as a fan, I can appreciate every transition, every chain wrestle, every scramble in a way that only someone who’s been on the mat can. It’s not just about watching who wins; it’s about recognizing how they’re winning and what each position means. The deeper you go into both styles, the more beautiful and complex the sport becomes.

I Spent Over 10 Years Competing in the Sport at a High Level

From junior high through my Senior Level days, I spent over a decade giving everything I had to wrestling. That’s a long time to grind. Early morning weigh-ins, cutting weight, extra workouts after practice, staying disciplined on holidays, and pushing through injuries—all of it was part of the journey. Competing at a high level meant always seeking improvement and being honest about my weaknesses.

I wrestled in gyms where every match was a battle. I faced state medalists, national champs, and hungry competitors who pushed me to my edge. Training never stopped. If I wanted to keep up, I had to keep evolving. I wasn’t just a part of the sport—I was immersed in it. Every win or loss came with lessons that extended far beyond a bracket. That decade taught me resilience, accountability, and how to show up when it’s tough.

Following wrestling now is like reliving pieces of that era. I watch matches not just as entertainment, but as a student who still appreciates the craft and the struggle behind it.

I’ve Met Athletes Who Competed at High Levels Too

One of the most inspiring parts of being in the wrestling community is the people I’ve crossed paths with. Over the years, I’ve met and trained alongside athletes who went on to do incredible things—State Champions, NCAA All-Americans, and even Olympians. Some of them I competed with or against, others I met through camps, tournaments, or coaching clinics.

These relationships brought insight into what it really takes to reach the top. You see the common traits: obsession with the details, consistency, toughness, and often, a sense of humility. Watching these people climb the ranks gave me even more reason to stay locked into the sport as a fan. When you’ve rolled with someone who ends up standing on a podium at the Olympic Trials or representing their country on the world stage, your appreciation grows tenfold.

It’s not just about star power either—it’s knowing how much they sacrificed to get there. Every time I see a familiar name in a national tournament or world-level competition, I’m reminded of the grind we all shared and the heights some reached.

I’ve Made Great Friends Through Personal Experiences and Various Teams

Wrestling may be an individual sport on the mat, but the bonds formed off the mat are real. From school teams to offseason clubs and national travel squads, I’ve made lifelong friends through this sport. We’ve cut weight together, trained through the summer heat, shared rides to tournaments, and pulled each other out of slumps.

There’s a unique camaraderie that comes from shared struggle. You’re in the trenches with these people, pushing each other and relying on one another for support. Whether it was celebrating a team win or consoling a teammate after a heartbreaking loss, those moments stick with you. The friendships I’ve made through wrestling are different. They’re forged in sweat, blood, and hours of grind.

Even now, we keep in touch. We talk about matches, up-and-coming prospects, coaching techniques, or just life. Wrestling was the starting point, but the respect and brotherhood that came with it is something I’ll always value. That sense of community is another reason why I continue following the sport so closely.

The Life Lessons It Teaches Personally Because It’s a Metaphor for Real Life

Wrestling is real. It’s raw. It’s one of the purest sports in existence. And if you stick with it long enough, it teaches you lessons you’ll carry for the rest of your life. For me, wrestling became a metaphor for personal growth and handling adversity. There’s no one to blame on the mat. You win or lose based on your preparation, mindset, and grit. That same philosophy applies to life.

Wrestling taught me how to be accountable. How to stay calm under pressure. How to keep showing up even when things aren’t going my way. It taught me how to manage stress, how to prepare with intention, and how to reflect after failure. You learn to own your mistakes and fight through discomfort, both mentally and physically.

In real life, just like in wrestling, sometimes you’re in a bad position. Sometimes you’re behind on points. But if you’ve wrestled, you know how to dig deep and keep fighting. That’s why I continue to follow the sport—it reminds me of those core values. Every match is a story of struggle, strategy, and perseverance. And that resonates with how I try to approach life itself.

Conclusion: Wrestling Will Always Be My Sport

Folkstyle. Freestyle. Doesn’t matter. I love it all. I follow wrestling because it shaped my life. I wrestled the styles, competed for over a decade, trained with elite athletes, formed lifelong friendships, and learned lessons that I still live by every day. Watching wrestling now is more than a pastime—it’s personal. I respect what the athletes go through because I’ve lived it. And I appreciate the sport because I know how much heart, sacrifice, and discipline it demands.

Wrestling isn’t flashy. It’s not always understood by casual fans. But for those who know what it’s like to be on the mat, dripping with sweat, and battling one-on-one—it’s everything. And for me, it always will be.

Wrestling