The Stuff Champions Are Made Of!
When I sit back and think, what is it that I enjoy champions doing the most?
Winning…yes…of course…that is why they are champions!
A Becham free kick, a Federer ace, a Kapil Dev banana out-swinger, a Gavaskar straight drive, a Lara pull, an Agassi baseline winner or return of serve, a Shane Warne googly, a Tendulkar drive on the up. These are trademarks of some of the Champions I can think of.
These speak volumes about their skills which have helped them get to such heights.
But when was it that I saw something special from these champions that stood out even amidst the already maintained higher standards?
I remember the Olympic semi final between Agassi and Paes. Paes was 2-0 up. In the third set, he lost a bit of conditioning and that was enough for Agassi to wedge in, win the next three sets, the match and finally went on to win the gold that year.
I have enjoyed a Federer game most whenever he has been one set down. The Wimbledon 2007 Final against Nadal was one such example.
People say that this was the best Wimbledon final that they have witnessed after the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 which was Borg’s last win of the record five in a row.
Winning…yes…of course…that is why they are champions!
A Becham free kick, a Federer ace, a Kapil Dev banana out-swinger, a Gavaskar straight drive, a Lara pull, an Agassi baseline winner or return of serve, a Shane Warne googly, a Tendulkar drive on the up. These are trademarks of some of the Champions I can think of.
These speak volumes about their skills which have helped them get to such heights.
But when was it that I saw something special from these champions that stood out even amidst the already maintained higher standards?
I remember the Olympic semi final between Agassi and Paes. Paes was 2-0 up. In the third set, he lost a bit of conditioning and that was enough for Agassi to wedge in, win the next three sets, the match and finally went on to win the gold that year.
I have enjoyed a Federer game most whenever he has been one set down. The Wimbledon 2007 Final against Nadal was one such example.
People say that this was the best Wimbledon final that they have witnessed after the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 which was Borg’s last win of the record five in a row.
(Future might show some more similarities seeing the way Nadal is going!)
It is believed that Kapil’s 6 wicket haul against the Aussies in 1980 at Melbourne is one of his most memorable performances which proved decisive with respect to the result of the test match.
It is said that Kapil was nursing a soar knee and it was doubtful whether he would bowl in that particular innings. He backed himself, raised his game and the rest is history.
I remember the big hundred by Steve Waugh in his comeback test after being unceremoniously dropped and being written off many a times.
Followers of other sports might come up with a lot more similar examples.
Champions are different.
It is believed that Kapil’s 6 wicket haul against the Aussies in 1980 at Melbourne is one of his most memorable performances which proved decisive with respect to the result of the test match.
It is said that Kapil was nursing a soar knee and it was doubtful whether he would bowl in that particular innings. He backed himself, raised his game and the rest is history.
I remember the big hundred by Steve Waugh in his comeback test after being unceremoniously dropped and being written off many a times.
Followers of other sports might come up with a lot more similar examples.
Champions are different.
They are the ones who when cornered against a wall, come back raring at you like a tiger.
It is amazing to see the way they raise their game and rise to the occasion.
This according to me is what sets champions apart.
The stuff champions are made of!
It is amazing to see the way they raise their game and rise to the occasion.
This according to me is what sets champions apart.
The stuff champions are made of!
posted by Amit S. Joshi @ 8:34 pm
3 comments
3 Comments:
Its ok... you can write only about Cricket. You are good at that. This one started with Tennis but after that it was Cricket...and only Cricket! Don't you agree with me?
This is Good. It would have been better if you would have given example of other fields also
made oFF -- were you trying to suggest something?
I wonder how Sachin can fit into this article .. I mean one has to really think hard on the number of games Sachin has won for India on his own.
I understand that Cricket is a team game .. but then when you point out examples like Beckham (and Zidane) who are playmakers more than strikers - i.e. they mite not feature in the top scores list but have invariable set up wins for the team .. In that context YES sachin has contributed to the indian scores many a times and am sure by the end of the england series he wud've crossed the Sensex -- but in cricket its different, you have played the game and you wud know the importance of staying till the end till you win. You've read Sunny Days and in that too Gavaskar has stressed on this point .. something he cudnt do all the time since he always opened the innings.
I havnt seen most of the matches you have mentioned here .. but again, in the sundays final - Roger was only looking for one opportunity to up his gear - something that he cudnt find all thru the 4th set .. and the moment he got a chance in the 6th game of the final set - nadal was gone.
Like we say abt the aussies -- don't even give them (champions) half a chance .. they will surely convert it into a winning opportunity .. thats what sets them apart !
Post a Comment
<< Home