As the spring season of wrestling opens this month for kids in Lake Nona Youth Sports, Coach Brandon Marshall admits he’s looking forward to summer with a lot more excitement than he usually does.
Wrestling was reinstated as a sporting event for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo after losing its place in 2013, and Marshall couldn’t be happier.
“Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in history, and removing it from the Olympics agenda would have been a disappointment and a real loss for our sport,” he said. “Watching wrestlers compete under the spotlight at the Olympic level inspires kids to give wrestling a try.”
Marshall is an alumnus of the U.S. Olympic Training Site at Northern Michigan University and started wrestling in elementary school.
“Wrestling has always been an important part of my life, but the benefits I have gained extend far beyond the accomplishments on the mat,” he said. “Throughout high school and college, the sport of wrestling has served as an anchor for me, despite any other challenges I was facing in various aspects of my life.”
Marshall doubts he would have had the same confidence and determination to pursue a career in medicine if he hadn’t benefited from the self-discipline and mental toughness he practiced as a wrestling competitor. Marshall is attending the UCF College of Medicine in Lake Nona, hoping to graduate in the spring of 2021 and pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.
“Wrestling offers kids so many benefits, including cardiovascular fitness, strength and sportsmanship,” Marshall said. “The endurance and coordination they learn through competing easily translates to a variety of sports and gives them great skills for life, too.”
Wrestling practices for Lake Nona Youth Sports kicked off this month for young athletes, ages 5-15, and Marshall is convinced wrestling is a sport that has a place for everyone. “Whatever your body height or weight, you can compete,” he said. “It’s great to see kids gain confidence as the season goes along and see improvement in their fitness and skills.”
Lake Nona Youth Sports, supported by community volunteers, dedicated parents, dynamic coaches, and local businesses, is committed to providing valuable life lessons through sports. Serving thousands of children in the Southeast Orlando community since 2004, Lake Nona Youth Sports has helped a number of Junior Lions succeed and move into the high school levels of football, wrestling, soccer, cross country and lacrosse.
For more details on wrestling programs, contact Brandon Marshall at jrlionswrestling@lakenonayouthsports.org.
Photos Courtesy of Brandon Marshall
