Metaphorical perspectives of elite wrestlers on the sport of wrestling
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https://doi.org/10.70736/ijoess.1693Keywords:
Wrestler, Identification, Sports, Loyalty, LifeAbstract
Wrestling or any sporting competition, when viewed in general, is not only an arena where the winner and loser are determined, but also a stage where individuals internalize values such as discipline, determination and team spirit. Metaphor and metaphorical perception are important tools for understanding the complex structure of the human mind, especially the imaginations in the minds of athletes. Metaphors are not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a basic cognitive mechanism that shapes individuals’ thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Therefore, studies on metaphor and metaphorical perception have great potential for understanding human nature. In this study, the perceptions of elite wrestlers who competed in the freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s categories in the international arena towards the sport of wrestling were examined in depth through metaphors. Within the scope of the study, a semi-structured interview form was applied to 109 athletes with high-level wrestling experience and the data of 105 athletes were evaluated. Afterwards, the metaphors reflecting the athletes’ perspectives on wrestling were subjected to a phenomenological analysis process. The findings show that wrestling is not only a physical struggle but also a multidimensional phenomenon that requires discipline, determination, patience and strategy. In this context, it was observed that the elite athletes participating in the study identified themselves with this branch at a high level.
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