Why do we enjoy some sports like boxing or wrestling where somebody is usually in pain? This thing baffles me. Why are these sports even legal?
Sports derive from warfare. Cant have civilized combat without a bit of pain.
Because we are all feral at the core! 🤣 Plus, the sports you’re talking about requires a lot of technique and skill. Look at different forms of UFC, Boxing and MMA. It’s not all about causing pain but outsmarting and outlasting your opponent using those skills and techniques. 🤷🏽♀️ But that’s just my opinion…
I like it because it conditions me to be stronger and also teaches me to defend myself.
I used to train Jiu-jitsu(still do sometimes), and I see my training partners as siblings. I don't see it as a violent sport. It requires technique, control, and being fully present in the moment. What I love about it is that someone with a petite frame like myself can use leverage, technique, and my opponent’s own body mechanics to my advantage. Similar to boxing, where fighters study and read their opponent’s movements and technique to respond and use that knowledge strategically. It is about awareness, timing, and adaptation. It’s not about hurting someone, even though we can get hurt as a result of it. It’s more about challenging ourselves. I watch it because I admire what it takes to reach that level and seeing the strategies they use, with so many variables that can affect the outcome.
We’re drawn to spaces where human will is tested most vividly, where strategy and survival merge into something both terrible and beautiful. I actually don’t find enjoyment in it personally, but I sure respect the artistry and devotion it takes.
To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other. - Jack Handey
Why do we enjoy some sports like boxing or wrestling where somebody is usually in pain?
"Pain is weakness leaving the body."
Why are these sports even legal?
Because pain isn't illegal.
I'd say it's coded into our human psyche and has been for centuries on end. The sports you mentioned are legal because they're regulated by a set of rules and a conduct of business, and of course no one actually beats one another to death in such sports.
Ancestors have enjoyed Gladiator battles and duels back in the Roman days and we all know only one of those competitors leave out of that arena on their feet. To me when I watch combat sports, I don't see it as two or more dudes beating the absolute mess out of each other, I find that quite brutish, albeit a bit of fun but still brutish all the same. I see combat sports as a form of science and choreography. I analyze and study the fighters in the ring or cage, I look at strengths, weaknesses, strategies, openings, advantages, disadvantages, I observe it like a game of chess and chess, just like most things in life, you make your next move your best move because chances are, you're never guaranteed another opportunity.
@BrokenWillow I just noticed your post and you're definitely spot on. Combat sports is as very much a mental game as it is physical.
@SelfMadeJay Yeeeessss exactly like a game of chess! You explained it well….
Lol pain is definitely NOT weakness leaving the body
@SpicyNSweet seconded 😭 It's trauma to the body and best believe "the body keeps the score" ~ Bessel Van Der Kolk
Exactly. I've long said the body remembers and registers trauma😞
Though I don't typically enjoy watching these sorts of things, I definitely enjoyed taking various martial arts classes when I was younger and found the challenge fun. I will admit I wasn't the best at sparring because I always felt bad hitting another person so I mostly focused on blocking or deflecting. I sometimes would be too defensive and back myself into a corner and only threw a punch or kick if I thought I saw a real opening where I could hit t heir protective padding and not miss and hit them somewhere unprotected (though it did happen on accident a few times when I missed or they jumped into my knee as I was trying to kick). To me I could take the hits, and didn't want to hurt anyone. I much preferred just using practice pads or breaking boards or going shinai vs shinai or kali stick vs kali stick. I suppose my inspirations as a kid for martial arts were ninja turtles, power rangers, and dragon ball z. The only things I remember disliking about kendo in particular were the loud sound in my ears when someone would score a hit on the top of my helmet, my long hair getting in the way when putting it on, and how quickly I got super hot and sweaty from wearing that. Still I enjoyed it until I couldn't afford the classes anymore. I can't remember any serious pain or injuries from doing martial arts besides something that was unrelated to the fighting aspect (one time we were doing exercises to warm up that included running forward and backward and I didn't pay attention and ran into someone older and bigger than me at full speed while wearing glasses... The result was me being knocked down and getting a scar from my glasses digging into my face near the side of my eye. After that I got sports goggles or wore contacts 😅)
I seem to remember Aikido (which I haven't tried yet) being referred to as "The Art of Peace" so...