Vine Land Running Club

Ryan Sheckler’s shirtless chest is not the only thing he can boast about. The fact that famous X-Games champ Tony Hawk has high praises for him is a proof that he is not just some kid whose skateboarding dream came true by chance. Definitely, he is not only made to do it; He was born to.

Even before learning to recite the alphabet, skateboarding prodigy, Ryan Sheckler has already been jazzing up his playtime, practicing some skateboarding moves instead of playing with the usual safe toys for kids. He got into the sports as early as 2 years old when he first caught sight of his father’s board. Curious and inquisitive, the would-be world champ learned to ride and consequently, executed more complex moves with his dad’s board.

Ryan grew up harnessing his talent through his dad and mom’s support. His parents provided him with all the gears he needed, and even went as far as setting up his own ramp inside their home. All the support paid off when Ryan Sheckler’s name in the sport spread like wildfire. To say the least, he was already winning competitions and earning contracts with big sponsors at an early age of 10.

In early 2003, Ryan Sheckler went to go pro, and once again proved that he deserved the popularity because of his seamless skills with the board. He won Rookie of the Year during the Vans Triple Crown and Gravity Games, and topped the X-Games Street competition, winning another gold medal to his credit.

Because of the feat he has achieved as a skater even before turning 20, Ryan Sheckler has achieved the respect and admiration of known pro-skaters in the world. In 2005, he bagged the gold in the AST Dew Tour. He was also awarded Athlete of the Year by AST. Sheckler proved his talent two more times when he won the same competition for two more consecutive years making him the first skater to ever achieve such prominent winning three times.

Now, Ryan Sheckler’s pictures and merchs are all over from commercials on TV, apparels, and on the internet. He has been an endorser for many sports companies, and with his amazing built, looks and talent, he has been idolized by teenagers, as well. Proofs of his training were showcased when Ryan Sheckler went shirtless for a skateboard deck company. Since then, he has already cast his name on stones as one of the hottest athletes on the planet joining the ranks of Michael Phelps who also bared his chest for sponsors and products that he endorses. As this skateboarding natural talent turns 20 next year, the world is all eyes on the future ventures he is about to make and records he is destined to break.

Champ Bailey was born on June 22, 1978 in Folkston, Georgia. Although most people know him by the name “Champ” his real name is actually Roland. His mother gave him the nickname early on in life thanks to his many athletic achievements. It is safe to say that she was dead on when thinking that Bailey would be a great athlete in one sport or the next. Since his early playing days he has always been one of the best players on the field.

After a successful high school career Bailey went on to play at the University of Georgia. While playing for Georgia he became known as one of the top defensive players in the entire country. Opposing teams rarely had the chance to throw the ball on Bailey. And if they did it usually ended up as an interception.

In the 1999 NFL Draft the Washington Redskins selected Bailey with the seventh pick in the first round. Although many people felt that this was a bad choice, the Redskins were in much need of an outstanding cover corner.

Before the 2004 season got underway, Bailey was traded to the Denver Broncos. This trade was imminent, and both parties saw it coming long before the trade actually took place. After the trade Bailey signed a seven year contract worth approximately $63 million.

Bailey has been named to the All Pro Team on three occasions, and has also made the Pro Bowl team for the last seven seasons. This has solidified him as quite possibly the best cornerback in the league.

With a high level of athleticism and a good feel for the game, Champ Bailey has always been a great player. It is safe to say that he still has several more great seasons left in the tank. As long as the Broncos have him playing on the defensive side of the ball they have a good chance of winning!

Even though the list of talented athletes is endless we have attempted to group together who we think are the best athletes of all time, we initially thought 10 was a good even number but after great thought we decided to be brutal and whittle it down to a meagre 5 names!

We should point out that these names are in no particular order; they are all as great as each other.

Muhammad Ali, born in 1942 Ali is a three time world heavyweight champion and the only boxer to have won the linear heavyweight championship three times, in his 20 year career he fought in a massive 61 fights, 56 of which he won and for a magnificent ten years he remained undefeated.

His deserved place in our top five sporting champs is only illustrated by the fact that he has been awarded ‘Sportsman of the century’ by both Sports Illustrated and the BBC.

Pele, playing national football at the tender age of 16, Edison Arantes do Nascimento has been a top athlete from a very young age. FIFA recognises that Pele has scored 1281 goals across his entire career, however for many of his time playing in Brazil goal scoring was not recognised therefore this number is no doubt significantly higher, either way FIFA consider this figure as the highest number of goals achieved by any one player.

Golfer Tiger Woods, deserves a place in the top athletes for the fact that he has won 65 official PGA Tour events, an additional 22 individual professional titles, owns two team titles in the two-man World Golf Championships-World Cup, and won the inaugural FedEx Cup playoffs. In 2008 he became the first golfer to win four PGA Tour events five or more times and is the first person to win a PGA Tour tournament on the same course seven times, and the first person to win two tournaments at the same golf course in the same season.

Lance Armstrong, this cyclist deserves a place on this list not only for being the only person to win the Tour De France seven times but for also being a survivor of cancer. He developed testicular cancer in 1995 which then spread to his stomach, lungs and brain, after extensive hospital care he made a full recovery after which he went on to win the prestigious tournament a total of seven times. His dedication and bravery has been recognised by the over 50 accolades and awards he has received since.

Michael Jordan, noted as being one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a global icon for the NBA around the world. He holds the NBA record for highest career regular season scoring average with 30.12 points per game, as well as averaging a record 33.4 points per game in the playoffs. In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press’s list of athletes of the century. He will be eligible for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

Champs have many positive qualities and many characteristics that set them apart in a class of their own. Lets’ understands the 6 secrets further.

Six Secrets of Champs

1)         Picking up overall intensity: Champs display awesome aggression by playing to potential.

The full force of their abilities is unleashed through a high level of concentration and attentiveness.

2)         Maintaining a business-like attitude and consistency: A single-minded focus on playing the game right, a professional approach to competition and maintaining a high level of quality, and excellence in performance

3)         Displaying rare composure: Incredible fortitude, rarely show emotion or fall prey to. Are determined, and have the ability to fight, despite difficulties encountered on the mat

4)         Handling pressure, surmounting any crisis: The ability to withstanding pressure and surmount a crisis is the true mark of a champ. The experience and knowledge built up over the years provides the necessary mental strength to handle pressures.

5)         Seizing the moment of opportunity: Champs can accelerate the pace, use intuition and instincts to guide performance, and anticipate moves in advance. Champs don’t drop their guard at any stage.

6)         Adhering to training, both mental and physical: Sustaining the mental preparation process and strengthening all aspects of preparation regularly despite the star status; no complacency no matter how many championship titles have been won.

Besides these secrets of champs that make their game stand out, it is also important to understand the mental framework of a champ to gain insights into their approach to the game.

Mental Framework of Champs

The preceding segment on the secrets of champs gave us insight into the match behavior of champs. Let’s now take a look at the mental framework of champs.

• Champs enjoy challenges and never shy away from them.
• Champs constantly challenge themselves to greater heights.
• Champs don’t think about winning all the time.

They are not preoccupied with thoughts of winning. They focus their thoughts on playing a good game and tackling their opponent effectively. The message from this is: if you let go of the need to win and instead raise your mind to a higher state that is performance driven, then your chances of triumph increase.

• Champs focus on putting on a truly magnificent performance.

The pure aspects of the game interest them so much that you get to see game techniques and tactics that are incredibly awe inspiring. And when they win, it’s often truly deserving.

• Champs have leadership qualities.

A champ in grappling or combat athletics may not participate in a team event or ever captain a team. Even if all the encounters are one-on-one, there are certain leadership qualities that go into the mental framework of a champ.

A champ’s mental framework blends in the following leadership qualities that convey a distinct winning attitude:

• Champs like to take charge
• Champs like to be in control of the game: they strive for the upper hand
• Champs have courage
• Champs are astute and display a combination of shrewdness and wisdom
• Champs have an underlying confidence
• Champs believe in themselves
• Champs are humble enough to learn from mistakes
• Champs have adaptability; they listen to other’s views and are open to ideas and suggestions on improving their techniques
• Champs have a self-awareness of their strengths and weaknesses
• Champs willingly ask for feedback

These leadership qualities that a champ embodies bring out a cutting-edge game performance. It is a mental framework that is used to being at the top of the heap, but humble enough to constantly learn and improve.

• Champs are extremely dedicated to the sport.

Champs have an almost fanatical interest in grappling and combat athletics. This dedication goes beyond motivation or passion for the game to a feeling of complete lifelong commitment.

Think like a champ

When you start thinking like a champion, your mental approach is different and your performance will most certainly scale new heights. If you want to follow a career path that is similar to top grapplers and combat athletes in this field, you have to imbibe their qualities and consciously work on your thoughts and behavior. Your mental framework has to undergo a transition from being a run-of-the-mill grappler or combat athlete to one who truly knows how to excel.

Winning Edge of a Seasoned Player

Those who’ve spent a significant number of years in the sport and weathered innumerable matches and tournaments are often referred to as seasoned players. They are highly accomplished at the game, have been champions of many a high-profile title, and have a lot to teach to upcoming grapplers and combat athletes or new entrants.

This article was meant to be a guideline on how to develop your thinking along the lines of front­runners and winners in grappling and combat athletics. It is meant to give some direction on how to shape your thinking and mindset to reach the highest levels as a professional grappler or combat athlete.

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