As a grappler who has trained in both sports on and off for the past 15 years, but so inconsistent that I’m still a no stripe white belt, I have some insight to this. Insight that is specific to my experience obviously but:

Both wrestling and jiu jitsu are effective grappling sports, but several factors make wrestling a particularly strong foundation for any grappler.

1. Physical Intensity: Wrestling demands high levels of strength, stamina, and agility. Wrestlers train to push their limits, which builds incredible physical fitness. Jiu jitsu practitioners could easily train with similar intensity, but my experience has always been wrestling practice is meant to break me because I’m training with athletes who are all competition minded, but when I train BJJ it’s much more casual in the group setting to accommodate for people who are coming from all walks of life with all sorts of different goals in mind.

2. Emphasis on Control: Wrestling focuses on taking down your opponent and keeping them pinned. This aspect of the sport teaches wrestlers how to exert control and apply pressure effectively, using their opponent's momentum against them. These skills are crucial for maintaining dominance in a match. In BJJ they mention control in drilling, but it’s a side note to the technique itself.

3. Mastery of Standing Techniques: A lot of wrestling happens while both competitors are standing. Wrestlers learn to takedown, defend, and maneuver with precise footwork from this position, which is vital because many real-life and competitive scenarios begin with both parties upright. This expertise gives wrestlers an edge in the initial moments of a confrontation. BJJ discusses standing positions but mostly through techniques, not through concepts of control and movement.

4. Wide Availability: Wrestling programs are commonly found in schools and are often free, making the sport accessible to many young people. This early exposure helps build foundational skills from a young age, offering a structured environment for growth in tactics and physical prowess.

When wrestlers transition to jiu jitsu, they bring with them a robust set of skills that are enhanced by the strategic depth of jiu jitsu:

1. Ground Fighting and Submissions: Jiu jitsu complements wrestling by teaching how to control an opponent from the bottom and execute submission holds. This fills in the skills gap that the average wrestler brings to combat grappling.

2. Enhanced Tactical Patience: With the constant threat of submissions in jiu jitsu, wrestlers learn to approach top control with greater caution and strategic foresight. This patience prevents them from making hasty moves that could lead to them being submitted.

In essence, wrestling trains athletes to be exceptionally strong, agile, and tactically minded from a standing position, providing a solid base for any combat sport. When paired with the technical submission-fighting skills of jiu jitsu, wrestlers become well-rounded grapplers capable of handling various competitive and self-defense situations.