Similarly, the color's effect also may (subconsciously) intimidate opponents in athletic contests, especially when the athletes are equal in skill and strength, the researchers suggest.

In their survey, the anthropologists analyzed the results of four (combat) sports at the summer games: boxing, tae kwon do, Greco-Roman wrestling and (freestyle) wrestling.

In those events, the athletes were randomly assigned red protective gear and other sport wear.
Athletes wearing red gear won more often in 16 of 21 rounds of competition in all four events.

The effect was the same (regardless of) weight classes, too: 19 of 29 classes had more red winners, and only four rounds had more blue winners.