THREE REASONS WHY COMBAT SPORTS ARE BENEFICIAL FOR UNI-STUDENTS?

Universities have long been the breeding ground for athletic talent, with traditional ball sports like football, basketball, and soccer taking centre stage. However, full-contact combat sports such as wrestling, boxing, and martial arts have much to offer in terms of developing student-athletes and fostering a strong sense of university pride.

As a former university varsity fighter myself, representing the great University of Leeds Gryphon Muay-Thai Team, I've seen the potential of full-contact Combat Sport to be, a sensational national varsity event across the country and its overwhelming advantage to students both new to university or more senior students.

In my experience, as a two-year senior member and fighter for the LUU Muay Thai Team and a member of the Leeds University Martial-Arts Community, being a University Varsity fighter is one of the best decisions, that I ever made as a university student.

Joined the LUU Taekwondo team in the middle of the first year, achieved a green-stripe belt by the second year, and from that on, already a member of the Brazillian JiuJitzu Team and Muay-Thai team, from which year also, I've got my first University Fight in Muay-Thai, which is full contact with shin-pads.

In my final year, I fully dedicated my free time in university to the Muay Thai team, meaning if I was not doing my university work I was training four to five times a week, twice a day.

At this point, as a varsity fighter, I've already trained in one the best Muay-Thai Gym in the Western Hemisphere which is the 'The Bad Company', training in the same room with, the British Muay Thai Legend 'Liam "the Hitman" Harrison", One Championship Fighter ' Amber "AK-47" Kitchen, which also the LUU Muay-Thai Team coach and be trained by the living-legend 'Richard Smith'

By this point of my uni-career, I've done it twice in one year, giving the buzz of a lifetime that gives a glimpse of the glory of fighting in the ring, whether win or lose. In these past two years of experience, there are three main benefits that it gives to students.

DISCIPLINE

As mentioned, I was a part of three different Martial Arts Teams at the University of Leeds and the core values of these martial arts centred on the concept of Discipline.

Unlike other sports such as basketball and football, which rely on the whole team to achieve success or win a game, Martial Arts/Combat Sports, on the other hand, are different, because to win a tournament, match or fight, Martial Artists/Fighter rely on the results of the maximum effort they exerted in training/practice, meaning the chances of winning, is base on the effort, dedication and focus a fighter/martial artist exerted in training, which can be measured base on how discipline the fighter/martial artist is.

In short, if you want to win they have to put the work in, which can be doing extra hours of training, dieting, and avoiding pleasurable activities such as clubbing and drinking

A martial artist /fighter's discipline is measured, by their determination to win, which can turn into an obsession in the long run, as this will fuel them to do work-in.

An Obsession, which can influence them to set their priority straight, build good habits, and be mentally strong, that is beneficially transferable in their daily life in the course of their time at their university.

RESPONSIBILITY

Being a martial artist/fighter means you can defend others and yourself, but also you can inflict serious harm or damage to others.

Learning martial arts is good in general, for the sole reason of self-defence, but again by learning it, you also give yourself a power that can be used to harm others and get others into harm's way.

As Uncle Ben said "Great Power comes with Great Responsibility", a responsibility to use when it is needed, and not when want to use it.

This teaches the martial artist/fighter, to think twice and assess the situation before acting upon an instinct, so they can avoid any action, that is regrettable, plus humility and humbleness because being aware of the skills an individual possesses, and being responsible of their application and the consequence may be to others, allow them to appreciate the value of that skill and extra cautious of using them, as they know what they can do and what it can do to someone.

CONFIDENCE

Engaging in combat sports can provide university students with a wide range of benefits, but confidence is the most valuable asset for me. Under rigorous training and consistent practice, students can develop a strong sense of self-assurance in their capabilities within and beyond the sporting arena.

This confidence can positively transcend and impact their academic pursuits and personal life, not just their martial arts or fighting career in uni. The Mastery of combat techniques and continual improvement in physical fitness can result in a heightened sense of empowerment, elevating self-esteem and confidence levels.

Also the demands of combat sports call for mental resilience and unwavering discipline. Conquering challenges during training and competitive events can cultivate a robust mental toughness, which in turn can bolster confidence levels across various facets of life.

Acquiring combat skills equips students with the ability to be more assertive and self-assured in their communication, boundary-setting, and self-advocacy when necessary. This then attained milestones which therefore mentally translate into an increase in confidence when confronting academic challenges and pursuing personal ambitions.