Being an athlete is hard work. Imagine the hours of training you have to spend in order to master your craft. You have to invest a whole lot of blood, sweat, and even tears to be on top of your game. Of course, not everyone has the willpower and motivation to have these commendable values. However, some athletes have inspiring stories that amaze you with the greatness they achieved through sheer willpower. Let us take a look at the top 3 inspiring athlete stories.
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph has been diagnosed with polio as a child and has been advised by medical experts to no longer walk. She recovered from polio, but her left leg’s strength was reduced significantly, and as a result, she had to wear a knee-support brace until she was 12 years old. Because of her weak leg, she often sought medical treatment and received at-home massage treatments that would slowly regain her leg’s strength. She was also initially homeschooled because of her diseases. She only began integrating with the regular school during second grade. Despite all of these early setbacks, Rudolph eagerly tried out for her school’s track and field team when she was 16 years old. She became the representative for prestigious track and field events like the 1956 summer Olympics and the 1960 summer Olympics. She received several honors like the Black Sports Hall of Fame, US National Track and Field Hall of Fame, US Olympic Hall of Fame, and National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Tyrone Muggsy Bogues
Bogues had a rough start early in his life. He lived in poverty in his early life because his father was in prison. When he was five years old, he was also hit by a stray bullet, which caused him to grow very short (only 1.6m tall!) All of these setbacks did not discourage him from his passion for basketball. He became the shortest NBA player in history and scored a whopping 6,858 points, over 6,700 assists, and over 1,300 steals in his 14-year career in the NBA. He also has over 35 blocks, including a block against the giant Patrick Ewing. He is living proof that talent trumps physical disadvantages.
Aljona Savchenko
Whoever said that the third time’s a charm obviously has not met Aljona Savchenko. In the ever-competitive figure skating world, she had ranked 15th in 2002, 3rd in 2010 and 2014, 4th with her partner, Bruno Massot, in the pair figure skating championship at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. It seems like the figure skating career for Savchenko will end without ever getting a gold medal. However, she won the coveted gold medal for free skating at her fifth Olympics with her hard work and perseverance.
The sports industry can be a competitive world, but with hard work, perseverance, and a passion and commitment to win – these athletes have proved that they can do whatever it takes to be on top of their game. Hopefully, you get to be inspired by the success stories of these athletes and this motivates you to do your best in your passion as well.
