You know sometimes where an event unfolds in front of your eyes,
and you feel like you’re in a movie? In this blog post, I want to share something
that happened during this SEA Games that made me learn a very valuable lesson,
and I will never ever forget what it made me feel.
DECEMBER 4 2019- MALAYSIA VS INDONESIA
Before I begin my story, let me briefly explain the
competition format. So in this SEA Games, beach volleyball was competed as a
team event, which means that each country sends in two pairs and if both of
the teams win 2-0, only is it then considered as a win for your country.
However, if the first team wins, and the second team loses and there is a draw
of 1-1, a Golden Match will be played whereby any 2 out of the 4 players shall be
chosen as the third team.
Hsi Yan and I were the first pair, so naturally we had to
face the Indonesian first pair as well. We weren’t placing any high hopes in
beating them as they are a very strong and experienced team. We had lost
21-14,21-15 in the end. After we had completed our match, it was time for the
second pairs of each team to compete. There was no pressure in winning because
the odds were against us. Anyway, we had lost the first set. However, during
the second set, Ah Joo and Sin Xi picked up their pace and began leading! We
were all so excited because we were actually in the lead and it looked like we
could take this set.
What happened in the next few moments, no one saw it coming,
and it would be the one of the most electrifying moments in sporting history. The score was 13-12, with a point in our pocket. And everything seemed to happen in slow
motion. A ball was placed too tight to the net, the Indonesian defender jumped
up to challenge the shot. Little did she know that when she landed, it would be
the last time she had jumped for the match. She suffered from a bad landing and
injured her right knee. An immediate 3-minute technical timeout was called for.
We in the Malaysian stands were all bright-eyed. If the Indonesians forfeited
this match, we could go on to play the Golden Match, and score at least one
more point for our country! Just when things were looking bad for the
Indonesian duo, her partner helped her up from the seat, and together they
staggered back into the court. They were going to fight it out till the last point.
At this point, the Indonesian player could barely even
walk normally, much less run and jump. In a sport like beach volleyball
where you’d always have to run, jump, and dive, this was a HUGE disadvantage. We
beat them easily in the second set. With the scores tied at 1-1, it was time
for the deciding set.
As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough
gets going.” The Indonesian duo was not defeated AT ALL. A show of true
sporting excellence was put on for the crowd. So here’s what happened. In beach
volleyball, there are only two players on an 8x8m court. So, when you are
receiving the service from the opponent, a normal standing position would be to
cover your own half of the court. However, the Indonesian pair changed their
style of play, and it was the first time I had ever seen anyone do that. The
blocker (who was not injured) covered the whole of the backcourt, and the
defender was left to guard a little spot in front, just to pass the second ball.
The situation is illustrated as above.
The Indonesian blocker stepped up her game right there and
then. No matter where we served the ball, she was there to take it. It was
impossible to kill her. Even the defender who was injured was nothing short of
impressive. Keep in mind, she couldn’t even walk properly. So, how did she
play? Well, any ball that came to her, she simply placed it perfectly for her
partner to go in for the kill. It was so painful to watch her grit her teeth
and bear through the pain, but she never once gave up. They were supporting
each other through it all. The blocker hadn’t given up hope on her friend yet. She
decided to take things to her hands and master her own fate.
I can’t even imagine what they were going through at that
time. It was a true test of mental toughness, and they thrived through the
adversity. They had succeeded. Tears of relieve and joy were streaming down
their faces. What a night it had been.
Although we hadn’t won, but I felt like I had won the
tickets to watch this glorious movie being played right in front of my eyes. I
am not sure if by writing this blog post you can feel the whole situation, but
I definitely hope that this story inspires you as much as it inspires me. Let
this be a lesson to all- IT IS NOT OVER YET UNTIL YOU DECIDE THAT IT IS OVER.
TAKE CHARGE OF THE SITUATION AND DECIDE WHICH IS THE OUTCOME YOU WANT, TO BE
REMEMBERED AS A HERO, OR LOOK BACK AND THINK “I COULD’VE DONE BETTER.”
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