THE notion of what makes a sports champion is often based on execution − the ability to win. Yes, garnering accolades is clearly a substantial goal for aspiring athletes, but we believe that success can also be determined by one’s personal growth and achievement – from besting your own personal records to qualifying for a prestigious sporting event, such as the Olympics, where one gets the opportunity to compete against the world’s best athletes.
At the recent Tokyo Games, eight women displayed courage, resilience and sheer grit in the face of unsurmountable challenges. In our books, they truly epitomised the champion spirit and deserve recognition for their efforts. Here are their stories:
1. Farah Ann Abdul Hadi (Malaysia)
As the first Malaysian woman gymnast in 20 years, Farah Ann started training when she was only five years old, and this Olympian athlete has managed to hold her head up high and chase her dreams despite constant societal pressures.
2. Nur Dhabitah Sabri (Malaysia)
Despite having to train in isolation without the support of family and friends during numerous Covid-19 lockdowns, this national diver made it to the women’s individual 3m springboard finals of the Tokyo Olympics, only to be narrowly defeated by Team USA’s Krysta Palmer.
3. Hidilyn Diaz (The Philippines)
Although she had to overcome financial hardship from an early age and accusations of smearing her country’s name by the Duterte administration, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz pushed on and defied all expectations when she went on to win her country’s first-ever gold medal.
4. Allyson Felix (USA)
Even when her primary sponsor, Nike, dropped her sponsorship by 70% after discovering that she was pregnant, Allyson started her own line of running shoes and continued to train after giving birth. In fact, this prolific champion has broken the record for the most medals won by an American athlete, by clinching a total of 11 to date.
5. Yusra Mardini (Refugee Olympic Team)
This Syrian swimmer fled her home country in 2015 with her sister and 17 others after a civil war destroyed their home. On the way to Greece, the motor on their boat stopped working so she and her sister, along with two other passengers, had to jump into the water and tow the vessel with a rope in one hand the rest of the way. Fast forward to today, and this Olympian athlete, who used to train with the Syrian Olympic Committee, is on a mission to instil hope in refugees around the world.
6. Kokona Hiraki (Japan)
Japanese skateboarder Kokona Hiraki became the youngest person to ever win an Olympic medal. Despite having won gold in Japan’s National Skateboarding Championship in 2019 and silver at the 2019 X Games, this 12-year-old sensation successfully clinched the silver medal after making her debut at the Tokyo Olympics.
7. Quan Hongchan (China)
14-year-old Quan bagged a gold medal in diving at the Tokyo Games despite it being her first Olympic appearance. As China’s youngest athlete, her historic performance of three perfect-10 dives kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Having started training at the age of seven, this celebrated athlete practices up to 400 dives a day, all in the hopes of helping her ailing mother.
8. Simone Biles (USA)
Known as the world’s best gymnast, the American athlete’s withdrawal from the group finals at the Tokyo Games shocked the world. Citing mental health concerns, she ultimately put her needs first and believes that her defiant act is probably one of her greatest accomplishments. Judging from the response on social media, the world probably agrees as well. – Agencies, August 17, 2021
