Chicks Heart Fights

In anticipation of the Olympics, Forbes.com has a story where some of the world’s top athletes discuss who is the perfect athlete , and many picked Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan. Though they wouldn’t be my choice, they are reasonable choices, as they are two of the most dominant forces in their sports. As I read the story, I couldn’t help but be peeved that the no wrestlers or mixed martial artists made the story. I’m used to it, though, my favorite sports are often forgotten.

As I thought about it, I realized that perfection is not really possible in wrestling and MMA, because both sports require mastery of a person, not a course, apparatus, or any other unchanging object. A gymnast can garner a perfect score when she executes her routine flawlessly-no breaks in form, no steps, no mistakes. A pitcher has a perfect game when he doesn’t allow anyone to reach base. No matter how much baseball or gymnastics change over the years, perfection is attainable because the goal does not change. Make it through a mistake-free routine. Prevent 27 batters from reaching base. Hit that mark, and you reach perfection.

In MMA and wrestling, you are aiming to dominate a person. People are no static objects; instead, they are constantly working to get better, and to learn the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. When Steve Mocco beat Tommy Rowlands at the Olympic Trials, it was because the pair had wrestled each other many times, and Steve was ready for what Tommy was bringing to the mat. Mastering a dynamic human opponent is quite different than mastering a balance beam, which will not change.