The debate over which is more fundamental to athletic success, physical power or mental endurance, is one that has been long contested. I personally believe that the type of sport at play determines which component becomes more important, and as such, one cannot definitively say which factor is more important to sport as a whole.
On the one hand, mental health always plays an important role not only in sport, but also it is a necessary source to give us success in the profession. First of all, a strong mentality can maintain the athlete’s calming, which can reduce their pressure and stress to prepare the composure before the games. Therefore, during the game, they have the ability to plan the next move and communicate with their teammates which is a crucial key to bring them success. Furthermore, the mental involvement of sports such as football allows it to be a battle as wit as the physical contest. This is how footballers such as Lionel Messi, despite being small in stature, is able to flourish on the football pitch: he is able to utilize his ability to link up with his teammates.
On the other hand, some argue that in more physical sports, brute strength is the major determiner of success. Sports were initially designed to showcase the physical attributes of its participants, therefore it comes as no surprise that strength is an important component in any of them. It is especially true that some sports demand a high level of endurance, such as swimming or marathons, as a small fitness could make a crucial difference in their time to finish the competition. Famous athletes put more time in physical training, such as weightlifting and running drills, rather than mental training alone.
Ultimately, I argue that in most sports, both physical and mental prowess is needed; nonetheless, what component is more crucial would ultimately depend on the sport.