"Jag vill bli bäst i världen" : En kvalitativ studie med fokus på kopplingen mellan inre motivation och elitsatsning inom svensk brottning

Sammanfattning: A global race between countries for the most valuable medals has triggered the demand of the athletes even more than before. To cope with the increased pressure the athletes not only need physical but also mental strength. Athletes and coaches stresses the importance of motivation to build the mental strength that is needed. This study researched Swedish wrestling and was built on eight elite wrestlers thoughts and experiences regarding motivation. The goal was to examine these experiences in relation to the athletes ongoing athletic career and goal achievement. The study started as a working project from the Swedish Wrestling Association and their purpose was to study the athletes road to becoming wrestlers at the highest levels of the game. Qualitative data form the eight elite wrestlers was gathered from interviews with questions regarding their journey from starting with wrestling to becoming athletes at the highest level of the game. The respondents ages varied from 19 to 31 and during the interviews they had to reflect on the subjects at hand. Results of the study pointed out the importance of high objectives and the self belief that is necessary to become the best in the world. The athletes that participated in the study also felt the need for interim goals to push forward and pinpointed all the sacrifices that is key to succeed at the highest level of international wrestling. The paper also discusses three key psychological needs within the Self-Determination theory connected with the athletes experiences. The essential need to be apart of something larger, be able to influence their own existence and also be pushed to limits where development occur but not surpass their own ability. As a conclusion this study tries to give answers to how the athletes stay motivated in the ever-changing sports climate.