Wrestling fans are often left awestruck by their heroes wrestling moves and skills. Their athletic ability, however, is only one part of what makes these individuals truly great. The lives that each Olympian led prior to becoming a legend contributed to developing inner and outer strength. You’ll find that many of these champions survived much adversity, which built their character. If you take a close look at the lives of these individuals, you’ll find some interesting commonalities. In researching the athletes’ histories, you’ll find instances where the men persevered against great odds. You’ll find men who overcame dyslexia, bullying, poverty, accidental injuries, and cancer. You’ll learn that they developed their strength and toughness by working hard on farms throughout childhood or in shipyards during early adulthood.
Wrestling legend Dan Gable said, “Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” In order to obtain the title of Olympic gold medalist or World Champion, wrestlers must have developed deep character and an abundance of tenacity. When you take a closer look at the backgrounds of US Olympic wrestling legends, these are the qualities you will find. For details about the interesting lives of wrestling legends over the years, take a look at this infographic.
