By Charles Anietie Iyoho

In the world of high level competition, intelligence is king. And genius-level talent is not just confined to one sport. It’s prevalent across all of them. 

Lionel Messi, viewed as one of the greatest soccer players, is renowned for his ability to quickly read opposing players’ attempts to dispossess him, using sudden feints to elude defenders, constantly adjusting his speed to keep the opposition guessing, deploying tight ball control in pressure situations, and finding innovative ways to score and create chances for his teammates. And don’t forget about his soul-crushing nutmegs.  

George St-Pierre, a former UFC mixed martial artist, is widely considered one of the best fighters to ever step foot in the octagon, winning titles in the UFC welterweight and middleweight divisions. 

He’s also known for his analytical approach to fighting, often applying philosophical perspectives to his combat endeavors. 

In a conversation about the “Science of Fighting” with MIT researcher and podcastor Lex Fridman, St-Pierre had this to say:

“I do not like to fight but I love the science of it,” he said, later warning it’s better to “train smarter, not harder.” 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fIPxfzfOTxk%3Fsi%3DvLjFLLiX-I4WpqKo%26start%3D2481

Examining Intellect in Other Sports

Basketball great Lebron James possesses a near photographic ability to recall the opposing team’s plays, even calling their offensive sets as they run them, a trait that has both infuriated and baffled opposing teams.

His high basketball acumen, sharp memory, and keen attention to detail also set him apart from other high level competitors in his field.  

Mixed martial arts phenom Israel Adesanya possesses one of the highest kicking boxing IQs in the sport, meticulously setting traps for his opponents to react, only to counter attack and strike with deadly precision and venom. 

Tom Brady, considered one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, is adept at thinking quickly and making plays in high pressure moments, while evading strong defenses. 

Former NFL star Marcellus Wiley used his high cognitive ability to excel in professional football.

The California native was the valedictorian of his high school class, eventually graduating from Columbia University (an Ivy League school) before going on to have a successful career in the National Football League (NFL). 

For many athletes who reach upper echelon status, they seem to have a special quality: an intrinsic ability to understand their sport at a granular and intellectual level, sensitive to its nuances and adaptable when confronted with its real-time challenges.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LLJ-BzoFMX0%3Fsi%3DwzzV030aOcBLDSrD

Athletic Intelligence is King

Over the years, many studies have provided a strong case for the role that cognitive functioning plays in athletic performance (Fadde and Zaichkowsky, 2018; Brenton et al., 2019).

In 2013, Jocelyn Faubert  found that professional athletes were “significantly better than amateur athletes and non-athletes in processing a non-sport-specific, complex dynamic visual task.”

Others have also argued that the cognitive domain may be a significant factor in separating elite athletes (i.e., “playmakers”) from non-elite athletes (Zaichkowsky and Peterson, 2018).

When describing athletic intelligence, a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, a peer-reviewed academic journal, stated the following:

“Athletic intelligence includes the cognitive abilities that enable athletes to optimally visualize their surroundings in real time, learn and recall game information fluently, react quickly and accurately to stimuli, and sustain rapid decision making for extended periods.” 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=CmSFYTHZji8%3Fsi%3DlZ-LVcJpkm8WKyjl

Final Thoughts

The distinction between good and great athletes often lies in their capacity to not only excel physically, but also to master the mental and strategic aspects of their sport.

Being able to perceive the intricacies of the game, adapt swiftly to changing circumstances, and make split-second decisions, sets them apart and elevates their performance to an elite level.

It’s this blend of deep understanding, cognitive agility, and situational awareness that enables them to thrive and achieve remarkable feats in their respective competitive arenas.

So do you think top athletes deserve more respect for their intellect? Can you think of any other elite competitors with great intellectual abilities? 

Let me know in the comments below! And if you liked this article, please consider making a donation below.

About the Author

I’m a communication coach, award-winning technical content communicator, music producer, songwriter, blogger, professor, and sports aficionado.

For communication advice, uplifting musical content, and thought-provoking interviews, and blog content, join me at: https://anietiecommunity.com/why-i-started-this-community/.