It depends on what you mean by tougher. There's generally more conditioning and weight training and whatnot associated with wrestling...So much of the time the training takes a harder physical toll, but Taijiquan is extremely difficult to master and strengthens your body a ton if you do it as more than just an exercise. I've done some work with Tai Chi people here in China who were in their 60's and 70's and they were rock solid and strong as all get out. I would say that they are both tough, but one is more immediately tough while the other is generally a little more gradually tough.

I am interpreting your question to mean, "Which activity would be more difficult to learn and which would give you the greatest advantage in self defense? Tai-chi involves so much more types of training than wrestling and requires a mastery of the use of each part of the body. Wrestling is very limited because it is a sport within certain parameters of rules.

Tai-chi teaches you to know what is going on inside the opponent and to react appropriately to the actual stance, balance, strength, technique and internal state at each moment. It is not just a set of techniques but a state of being which uses the opponent's actions and mental state against him.

For example, if you are being wrestled (or fighting a Ju Jitsu practitioner) you are judging the vectors of force the opponent is using with each arm and each other part of his body. You would then connect the forces coming from two parts of his body together thereby short-circuiting his force. This constantly changes of course, so you are constantly adjusting to maintain the short-circuit. If his force is neutralized in this way, they you can do what you want.

So the effect of your actions are much more powerful than in any other martial art because you can do so much more. While this requires a certain amount of strength (and we have to work out just as in any other martial art), it does not require tremendous strength or large muscles.

Genuine Tai chi are absolutely amazing and cannot be compared to wrestling. With the use of internal force of Qi gong, the practitioner can easily defeat the wrestlers that depends on strength alone. Well, if you are comparing the training, both are tough in their own ways. How about watching youtube videos on "KUNG FU QUEST - TAICHI EP 5 (ENG SUB) or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnwNU4MoR...

Tai chi is not a sport. It is a martial art. Containing strikes locks throw chokes, joint breaks etc. tai chi is a lot more involved ten wresting which is a simple sport boind by rules and regulations

But I suspect you could care less about the truth and want your own warped opinion backed up

Of course, the most popular martial arts are the toughest,this would be MMA, BJJ, and Krav Maga.

Do what the majority does and be a sheep, don't think, just do.

Don't knock it, Taiji is every bit as tough as wrestling and much more involved if you learn it the way it was intended and not as a stretching exercise. Real Taiji practitioners are ripped with well defined muscles and their leg strength is incredible.

Qi gong tai chi is not a sport.

one is not a sport, but the other is.

sajasksa