Combat sports image in Lithuania

The object: image of duels sports. The aim: to explore Lithuanian Combat Sports image and its features. Objectives of the study: 1. To overview the image concept and its importance in modern management science and practice. 2. To identify the factors that determine the positive and negative aspects of combat sport's image. 3. To set the differences between coaches and athletes image concept. Research methods 1. Literature Analysis : Analysis of Lithuanian and foreign literature about the image and the image of organizations - 32 source; 2. Analysis of Documents : We have analyzed the Lithuanian Statistical Yearbook of the sports regarding information about the duel sports; 3. Survey: We conducted a survey of athletes and coaches. Conclusion: 1. Different authors have different perceptions and are highlighting various important details of the image. Combat sports organizations should pay attention to these essential aspects of image: consumer opinion formation, the creation of the impression and the maintenance of the reputation. These aspects of the image should become the aim of combat sports organizations willing to improve their sports image. 2. The study showed that the most important factors in determining a positive image of the combat sports are the following: good results in the international competitions, the positive relationship with the media and positive behavior of the athletes and coaches. The most important factors determining negative image of combat sport is: negative behavior of athletes and coaches in the ring and outside, as well as a negative relationship with the media. 3. To the opinion of the combat sports coaches, one of the key factors in a good image is a positive duel sports coverage in the media, meanwhile athletes gives too little attention for this. Combat sports athletes as the most important positive aspects of image see: good results in international competitions as well as a good relationship with the coach. Suggestions: 1. Combat sports organizations image is worth giving more attention. It should be understood that the sport's image is one of the most important things for a successful activity and the more image will get better the higher goals will be achieved. 2. To educate combat sport athletes and coaches on image issues. Teach them how to talk to the media, to create their own unique positive image. 3. Combat sports organizations should be as open as posible and try to participate in various projects, even not connected with the sport. This should get people know more about combat sports issues and improve the image of the combat sports in Lithuania