Mental strength in sport

[Roy Jones Jnr]

Just how important is it in your opinion?

[bojangles1987]

You can't say its the most important aspect, as the bravest, toughest, most willful person ever can't be a great athlete if they don't have the natural ability, but it's the most important aspect after natural ability.

[Roy Jones Jnr]

Oops, meant to start this thread in the lounge as this topic relates to all sports and not just Boxing.

Could a mod move it there please, thanks.

[damuttz112]

There are many talented athletes but it's the mental aspect that separates them.

[Roy Jones Jnr]

Interesting.

Could it be the so called natural ability that some are born with and that some don't have, that separates them?

Like some athletes can reach very high levels on hard work and determination alone with a small amount of talent then you have others who don't really have the 110% of hard work but have that natural talent that can take them to very high levels. Is it the mental aspect or natural talent that separates them......i don't know.

[daggum]

zab judah says not very important

[bojangles1987]

Interesting.

Could it be the so called natural ability that some are born with and that some don't have, that separates them?

Like some athletes can reach very high levels on hard work and determination alone with a small amount of talent then you have others who don't really have the 110% of hard work but have that natural talent that can take them to very high levels. Is it the mental aspect or natural talent that separates them......i don't know.

Among athletes already at that top level, mental strength is probably the most important aspect. That's how the Carlos Baldomirs of the world beat the Zab Judahs. If we're talking a group of college football players that all want to go pro, then I'd bet on the talented ones above anyone else.

So I guess its a matter of who you are talking about.

[mathed]

Just how important is it in your opinion?

Extremely important. In my opinion, mental toughness and mindset are the things that ultimately separate champions from other fighters. They win the easy and the tough fights while others wilt when the heat is on.

[damuttz112]

zab judah says not very important

Bingo,

For all the talent in the world mentally Judah cannot keep himself together. Consistency to stay at the top is what separates these guys.

I'm just repeating what my father said, you get to the elite level where it becomes a mental game more than anything.

[VatoMulatto]

It's extrememly important. Nadal is a great example of someone that would never be the tennis player he is today had it not been for being so f_ucking strong mentally. Mental strength is the main reason why he wins so many matches and tournaments. Djokovic is the only tennis player that beats him in the mental department.