Are there any world class grapplers with limited flexibility?

[Kevin Gibbs]

Gordo

[JoeO'Laughlin]

hughes had a freaky solid grappling game and not sure he could even touch his own toes though .. haha

[Eric Perez]

Tom Ryan the Head Coach for Ohio State wrestling has been quoted as saying he looks for Flexibility first and technique a close second.

[Chris Herzog]

I think to say they are naturally flexible is a huge assumption. They very well could have worked their asses off to gain that level of flexibity which would support the work ethic that got them to the level they are at. I think there is less a correlation of flexibility that equals success, but rather crazy work ethic.

[Carson J Lodge]

One time David Garmo (one of the most bad ass competitors from my affiliation, just went to worlds last year) told my coach and a few of us that were there:
"You want to know what makes me good? I'm not the strongest person, you all are probably stronger than me. I'm not the fastest person either. I'm not even that flexible, but you know what I do have? I've been to 70-80+ tournaments and have been put in every situation you can imagine."

I thought that was a very interesting thing to hear from a high level competitor because sometimes it can feel intimidating when we aren't as physically gifted/conditioned as other people in our craft, but hard work and experience can overcome any physical advantage

P.S. That doesn't mean working on our physical attributes won't help, its just a piece of the puzzle!

[Eddie Bravo]

Everyone is born super flexible. Some use it so it stays, some don't so it doesn't. But you can always get it back unless you have some kind of serious injury

[chris miah]

Everyone is born super flexible. Some use it so it stays, some don't so it doesn't. But you can always get it back unless you have some kind of serious injury

This is great to hear what you and Herzog said, I guess it is a matter of real hard work and dedicated time.

[Carson J Lodge]

Flexibility makes everything better My game would be far less effective without it and I still have room to work on it!

[John Mejia]

I would say Buchecha isn't super flexible, but he kills it because he is capable of moving like and keeping the pace of a lightweight

If you can play tornado guarch you're pretty damn flexible.