For the past half decade or so, combat sports—particularly forms of mixed martial arts (MMA) such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and wrestling—have been on the rise.
Most recently, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 297 took place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and it broke the record for highest gate sales at Scotiabank Arena. The event sured sales for nationally treasured teams like the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, and even names like Drake, on the all-time list.
Furthermore, the UFC now holds the record for the highest gate sales in Canada, making it the most profitable sporting or entertainment event in Canadian history. If that doesn’t communicate the financial powerhouse combat sports are becoming, the UFC also holds record gate sales at American venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Aside from the UFC and MMA’s growing popularity, sports like wrestling have become fundamental aspects of American identity, with many high schools—and nearly all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) schools—funding wrestling programs.
Though much smaller in comparison, Canadian schools also have wrestling programs of their own. While Queen’s has a Varsity Wrestling club, it’s unranked in the U SPORTS rankings, and unfortunately feature little to no information on their web page.
Now, I understand combat sports and martial arts get a pretty bad rep, especially the whole “combat” aspect of it. However, if Canadian culture were to re-examine the lens through which we view them, we may be able to appreciate two inherent values in all combat sports: respect and discipline.
Participation in combat sports—whether that be wrestling, MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, karate, et cetera—promotes an unparalleled amount of physical and mental development that can’t be reached through engaging with other sports, at least not on the same level.
Thanks to the stress of being in combat and the grueling stamina needed to train, the cardiovascular benefits of training are unmatched. Combined with the mental toughness needed to compete in a match, or even a sparring session of any kind, combat sports provide a truly invaluable athletic experience.
Camaraderie and respect are also two lesser-appreciated aspects of combat sports. When engaging in a one-on-one competition, respect for your opponent is essential. Illegal moves, such as certain slams and strikes, are outlawed in certain combat sports. Past this however, most respected athletes abide by a “fighters code” of sorts which aims to protect the competitors involved.
Knowing how to protect yourself is an essential part of life, and this is exactly what combat sports promote.
For anyone who has ever trained in a martial art, you’d know one of the most repeated phrases hammered into the minds of young practitioners is the techniques you’re learning are defensive.
Never will you walk into a kickboxing or boxing gym and have the instructor teach you how to steal money from less prepared people. It’s always the opposite.
Finally, martial arts are incredibly accessible, regardless of gender, race, or financial standing. Queen’s offers Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Tae Kwon Do classes through the athletics and recreation website.
To summarize, combat sports and martial arts have been a part of human sport and competition since the beginning of sport itself.
Upon seeing the growing commodification of its associated sports and the benefits it offers to everyone, I think it’s time we Canadians re-examine the stigma surrounding martial arts and incorporate more into Canadian cultural practices and priorities.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].