The feeling of winning something after facing stiff opposition and distractions is incomparable. It’s a winner’s mindset that at the end victory is certain. That is the motivation to face the hurdles, train himself or herself to stay fit for the competition, and fix eyes on only the prize. On Throwback Thursday, shall we examine some of our favourite athletes of all time that never gave up:
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. But do you know what made him the greatest? His will to fight regardless of adverse situations! Now, this is not the story of a career-threatening injury but more about Jordan’s Never Give Up attitude.
2. Muhammad Ali
We know Muhammad Ali as the greatest boxer of all time. But life wasn’t always the same for ‘The Greatest’. Ali’s story is not the one about him coming back from a career-threatening injury but much more than that. Ali had already won the Championship in 1964 despite facing difficulties due to his religious beliefs. But in 1966, when Ali refused to be inducted in the armed forces, he was denied a boxing license in every state of the United States. He spent three and a half years away from the ring – from ages 25 to 29, the prime period of any boxer!
3. Rahi Sarnobat
The Maharashtra born girl was on the top of the mountain in 2014, winning a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and a silver in Asian Games. But Rahi, probably should not have competed in both competitions. Just before the Commonwealth Games, Rahi tripped and fractured her elbow but continued participating in competitions without proper recovery. It only made her elbow worse which took almost two years to recover. Rahi did not want to risk surgery and hence decided to opt for a slow but proper recovery. Two years away from the sport were not only difficult physically but also mentally as she missed the 2016 Olympics.
4. Serena Williams
Serena Williams is arguably the greatest women tennis player in history. And when you have 23 Grand Slams in singles competition, 14 in Doubles, 2 in Mixed Doubles and 4 Olympic Gold Medals, there is a very little room for an argument as well. But Serena’s career has also been full of ups and downs. Her first major injury came in 2003 when she missed eight months away from the game. The US star had to battle with a number of injuries later in her career but rose from the ashes like a Phoenix hungry for success every single time. But her most incredible success story has to be her recent comeback. Serena won 2017 Australian Open defeating her sister, Venus in the final. And it was after her pregnancy news in April, when the world realized what she had actually done in Melbourne – Serena won a Grand Slam when she was seven-right weeks pregnant!
5. Mary Kom
What Serena Williams did was absolutely exceptional. But our very own Mary Kom has done it not once but twice. Back in 2008, Mary Kom returned after giving birth to her twins and won the 4th consecutive World Championship. But it was her second hiatus which was truly remarkable. After her London Olympic medal, now a 5-time World Champion was away from the ring for 18 months. Mary gave birth to her third kid but her injuries made life really difficult for her. Despite struggling with injuries and going through multiple surgeries, Mary returned to win the gold at the 2014 Asian Games.
6. Tiger Woods
Renowned golfer, Tiger Woods has also seen numerous ups and downs throughout his career. And it wasn’t just his injuries but Woods has also overcome a number of emotional setbacks as well. In 2008, the American had to undergo knee surgery and spent two months away from the game. Woods came back to win the US Open in the dramatic fashion, beating everybody on “one leg”. But he missed the rest of the season due to yet another knee surgery. But it was his personal issues that made life an emotional hell for the Golfer. In 2009, a number of his extramarital affairs came out, ending his marriage in an ugly manner. Almost all of his sponsors ended their deals and stopped commercials involving him.