Sportsmanship, Canadian Style

Over the last several years, I've had the opportunity to watch some great displays of sportsmanship within our sport.  The wrestling community does very well to highlight these important displays on forums and social media.  Maybe it's because the nature of our sport is so physically, emotionally and spiritually demanding, we're quick to honor others because we understand each other at the core.  Wrestling is also unique because those larger-than-life moments and superstars are very tangible.  We see them up close and know them personally.

One of my favorite moments of the year occurred at the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament when Zack Anglin stole the show on the North end of the Kohl Center.  For how impressive and inspirational his athletic accomplishments are, what makes him unique is bigger than his disabilities or overcoming them.  He's more of an impressive young man than he is an aspiring athlete.

At the World Championships in Las Vegas, there was an international sportsmanship that was global-sized taking place behind the curtains that many don't see.  Countries working together, sharing their stories and building genuine friendships in spite of religious of political differences and still trying to hammer one another in competition.  There were also indelible moments for me personally.  There's only one thing that I can imagine will top draping an American flag over the shoulders of one of my favorite people and I'll save that moment for 2016 in Rio. 

I could go on and on, however, a moment in time that has had a significant impact on me since it occurred took place North of the boarder at the Canadian Olympic Team Trials.  Most within the American wrestling community missed the incredible headline stories and wrestling action in Strathcona County on December 4-6.  I had a vested interest as I had been working with one of the athletes competing, so I watched closely online.  This event wasn't short on great displays of sportsmanship, which has always been my experience with Canadian wrestling events.  However, the one that everyone must know about happened towards the end of the finals when two training partners and dear friends squared off for the women's 48 KG spot.  Jasmine Mian and Genevieve Morrison both competed at the World Championships last year for Canada, but they were at different weights.  So, as teammates, they trained and sharpened one another.  Gen won a bronze medal in Vegas, which was a great moment for her and Team Canada.  At the Trials, Gen sat out until the finals and Jasmine climbed the ladder, beating a former world team member and a multiple-time world medalist, setting up the showdown of two wrestlers at the peak of their careers.

They battled hard and Mian won two straight bouts.  The fans understood the dynamic of these two competitors and I felt that tension through my computer screen a thousand miles away.  When the second match concluded, Dave Holland capture a picture for the ages that represents everything great and pure about Olympism and the sport of wrestling.  Two friends beat each other up in hopes of representing their country at the Olympic Games, but when the final whistle blew, only one could do so.  For both of them, their relationship was bigger than the outcome.   The frozen moment is history was incredible in its own right, however, what has transpired since it took place is what shows it was genuine.  Both have shared their version of the story on social media, blogs, interviews, etc. and only have admiration for the other.  It's refreshing when all of the things we hope wrestling teaches an individual is on full display on the biggest stage in the world.

My short explanation doesn't do justice to that moment.  Take the time to read about it from their perspectives.  Read Jasmine Mian's Blog, follow them on Twitter, etc.  They're great athletes and great human beings.

Well done, Jasmine and Gen.  The two of you are examples of what commitment, dedication, hard work and perseverance can get you in the sport of wrestling.  What's more is that your demonstration of honor, humility and integrity show us what living life at the highest level really looks like.  Character outlasts accomplishments and no matter the outcome, the human soul is always worth much more than gold because we're created in the image of God.