5 Quotes on Facing Tough Competition
For the next three days my son is competing in one of the toughest youth wrestling tournaments in the country. This is his third year in a row competing, so he knows what to expect — hard nosed, physical wrestling.
If history is any indicator, he is going to get several bumps and bruises this weekend. He is going to have to overcome adversity. And most of all, he is going to have to test he skills against some of the best wrestlers he will see all season. As I wrote last week, you have to be a special type of person to enjoy facing tough competition.
With that said, I always like to arm myself with a few timely quotes to share with him in these moments. Here are 5 of the quotes I plan to share with him this weekend.
1. General George S. Patton – West Point graduate, famous World War II general, and regarded as one of the most successful United States field commanders of any war.
Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.
2. Jackie Joyner-Kersee – 3x Olympic gold medalist, considered the greatest multi-event track and field athlete of all time
The rewards are going to come, but my happiness is just loving the sport and having fun performing.
3. Bill Wash – Considered one of the greatest American football coaches of all time, 3x Superbowl winning coach and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Consistent motivation usually comes from a consuming desire to be able to perform at your best under pressure, namely, the pressure produced by tough competition.
4. Muhammad Ali – Olympic gold medalist, 3x undisputed boxing heavyweight champion, and considered the greatest boxer of all time.
Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win the match
5. Jordan Burroughs – Olympic gold medalist, 4x world champion, and considered among the greatest American freestyle wrestlers of all time.
I know that stress on me mentally and physically will only help me improve not only as a human being but as a wrestler.