For some people, Buddhism and Greco-Roman wrestling could be considered contradictory in nature.

While the Bhuddas teachings emphasise calmness and inner peace, wrestling is one of the most abrasive and confrontational sports on the Olympic programme.

But for 22-year-old Netherlands grappler, Tyrone Sterkenburg, its the perfect match.

**My mum is a Buddhist from Thailand and when I was 16 years old, I became a monk for the summer. That greatly improved my mental focus and my spirituality, Sterkenberg, who competes in the 97kg category, told Olympics.com from the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

**It showed me a whole new side of life because I was used to training two times a week, studying and being busy all the time. And then all of a sudden at the monastery I couldnt eat, run or do fast movements.

I used to have rage before my matches and I was always so nervous. But now I actually close my eyes and try to meditate a little bit for the match, to have a little bit more focus and calmness.

Read more:
Meet Tyrone Sterkenburg: Greco-Roman wrestler, monk, model, and influencer - Olympics