I wrestled from middle school to HS and then Intramurals at PSU and almost always wore my headgear. Matches and practice. My HS coaches required us to wear headgear in practice. Might not have worn it with some summer workouts but did in summer tourneys as I recall. I was never any where close to great or elite and had no longtime future in wrestling so maybe that's why I can't understand why it's desirable or a badge of honor. I personally feel coaches should require it at all times, and always wondered why the UWW and Olympic rules don't require it. Glad to hear these guys are comfortable with this condition, and until I read this article I didn't realize it was a badge of honor.
Question, any greats come to mind that wrestled in college and internationally that don't have this condition?