At a young age, basketball became a part of my life. I was seven years old since my father started to teach me basketball. Years passed, and my dedication for the basketball exponentially grew. I experienced good success at any court and game. Although I was considered team’s youngest player, I contributed for cups and medals. However, during practice while I tried to drive through few players, I suffered a right ankle twist that left me in great pain. After seeing a surgeon, I learned that my right ankle is ruptured. I had one simple options. If I want to play basketball again, it was compulsory not to jump high and run fast.
For the first four months that followed after injury, not I was physically unable to play, but I was not able to run properly. However, I went through rigorous rehabilitation only filled with the satisfaction to play basketball again. I successfully recovered from my injury going through counotless physical therapy sessions, spending hours on the bike, and vertical jump therapy.
Even with harsh injury, I enjoyed a fair amount of success as a primary and middle school basketball player, mostly because I was 170cm tall. During my junior seasons my middle school basketball team won a gold medal and few trophies. At the end of my junior season I was named first runner up for coaches choice and as the best player. Needless to say, as I moved my school to UWCSEA as my senior season came to a close, even though I couldn’t play for the team due to injury, I was still excited to play basketball with new people.
Playing basketball has allowed me to establish partnership and life long friendships and it was a source for my enthusiastic attitude. Furthermore, it made me understand what is leadership and teamwork is essential in achieving true success. Regardless of physical and emotional pain I have endured as I had true passion and satisfaction. The injuries and painful memories now serve as one of the obstacle I faced and used for my personal growth.