Wrestlers

In Ancient Greek vase paintings, the coach or an official is always at hand when men are wrestling, with a long switch to punish rule violators or simply to encourage more vigorous play.  One ancient source complains that when you lose at pankration, a brutal form of mixed martial art, "you are whipped.  And this whipping comes on top of all the ones you received during your training..."

Loser gets paddled?  Sounds like some motivation.

Boxers

I think we can all agree that the traditional practice of corporal punishment in athletic training, which goes all the way back to Ancient Greece, should never have been given up.  In addition to its entertainment value, it teaches obedience and indifference to pain, so important in many sports.  I once read of a British coach who used caning liberally as part of the training for boxers, it was stated as fact not fantasy but I can't be sure.  I have heard athletes are caned frequently in training in South Korea.  I'm sure the good old ways survive here and there.  Here's some boxers I'd like to spank.

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