One of the things I love about this Wall Street Journal video is not just that the WSJ is spotlighting a few of the thousands of young women whose dreams of boxing in the Olympics are now a real possiblity, but also that they show a more balanced view of what it’s like to train as a boxer.
Boxing isn’t all about trading blows, although that’s certainly what most people think about when they see it. Boxing is about careful and determined study and practice of tactics, constant work on cardio, and plenty of mental fortitude. It’s almost more of a head and heart game than a brawn game.
I’m thrilled to see more and more articles like this showing up in my alerts these days. Not only that, but another woman interested in boxing has started showing up when my LA Boxing team trains. Allowing women’s boxing in the 2012 Olympics (I accidentally typed 2010 just now — wishful thinking!) will have an empowering trickle-down effect for women everywhere.
Let’s do it, sisters!
PS: That accent is pretty cool, huh? I had to rewind a couple of times in order to figure out what some of the young women were saying!
Related posts:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for this, enjoyed the video! And totally agree with what you say about head and heart not brawn. I always say that it’s easy to be a bad boxer but to win consistently you have to be smart and listen/apply what your trainers are saying. That’s something which is hard to appreicate until you give it a go yourself maybe?
Maybe it applies in some of the other power sports, too, but I’m not sure. Powerlifting? Rugby? Football? Yes, they have to be strong, but maybe they also need plenty of study and the ability to soak in what their trainers are teaching. I’ve never competed in any of those sports, but I know I’ve found that boxing has demanded more from me, mentally, than any sport I have been a part of so far. That includes basketball, running, skating, and a few others.
Do you have a good story about brains and boxing? I would love to have the chance to publish a good story if you’re interested in sharing, niamh!
Well, I’m pretty sure it applies across all sports. What irks me is there is an assumption that people who do sports are somehow less cognitive than others. Just because you love challenging yourself physically it doesnt automatically apply that you are, well ‘slow’.
And yes, I’d love to write something for you about boxing and brains – sounds nasty?! Give me a few days, thank you:)
(I’m giggling now. Boxing and brains sounds like a zombie Rocky flick, huh? Hey, that could be fun!) Looking forward to hearing from you.