Sports: Ad-hoc Heroes
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Former Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic had been utterly dominant in the build up to the 2008 Olympic games, winning nearly all the events she competed. She was a strong favorite for the Olympic games and even one to break the long standing Women's high jump record. She was unexpectedly toppled by Belgian High Jumper Tia Hellebaut who jumped a massive Personal best to win.
No,it wasn't that Vlasic performed poorly at the games (she jumped the same height as Hellebaut, 2.05 but lost on countback), it was rather a case of the Belgian stepping up when the moment mattered and producing something massive. Hellebaut did have a spectacular career but nothing matched that gold medal triumph at the games till she retired.
We have seen this so many times in history - people stepping up to cause upsets against the run of play. Many of them are often unheralded and go right back to being under the radar after that moment. However, there is always that glorious moment that forever cements their place in the history books.
How does an average athlete suddenly garner what it takes to topple the elites at the biggest moments when it matters most. For some it is sheer luck. A good example is the Euro 2016 winning goal by Portuguese soccer player Eder which cemented his Countries first major trophy in their history. He didn't really contribute much throughout the tournament and probably only made an appearance due to Ronaldo's Injury. Yet he stepped up when it mattered most and will be forever remembered.
Sheer luck and happenstance doesn't quite explain it in most cases though. Take for instance the case of Buster Douglas win over Mike Tyson which shocked the World. To say he 'got lucky' wouldn't be right the way the fight went. He dominated the fight leading to a knockout victory in the tenth round. Although he proved to be a fluke after losing his title in his very first defence.
In the case of Tyson I'll say he underestimated his opponent and it cost him. There is always the tendency to not notice those who aren't in the spotlight whether it is individual or team competition. Meanwhile the reverse is the case as these guys approach the competitions with an all to prove and nothing to lose mindset. They prepare hard and wait for the opportunity to make their marks.
Sometimes determination can get you things mere talent cannot. Providence may provide an opportunity just because of sheer determination. It will explain why there is an inability to translate that beyond such big moments as determination can only get you so far without the right skill set.
Does it Matter?
I think it is very unfortunate when an athlete stays elite and consistent throughout his career but isn't rewarded with a big moment win. Former 100m World record holder Asafa Powell easily comes to my mind. It is especially more painful to be overshadowed by one hit wonders who would likely never replicate such a feat ever again.
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It is pretty creepy the way everyone is ignoring what is happening to me and still going to Hivefest. Lay the dirty snatches out why dont ya. Fake it all you want creeps, its so obvious the blind eye you are turning. @fyrstikken told me what V2K and RNM was before they turned it on for me. Around that time he introduced me to @roelandp . I still have the emails between myself and @roelandp . This chain is centralized by design and @fyrstikken helped set it all up to fuck everyone, one by one, slowly into my situation. This is no joke you dumb mother fuckers, they shock you to your thoughts..... Hello????? It is in store for everyone you fools and your helping. Voices pulsed in your head and shocks to your thoughts??? Ignore me and help fuck innocent people for life? @roelandp and other top witnesses I know are involved with @fyrstikken.. Wait until people find out you conspired to enslave them with this shit. I am not crazy and you know it. they are doing this shit to me and told me what it mother fucking was BEFORE THEY TURNED IT ON! Your acting like naive children or maybe you are just part of the problem? You look like sociopaths. Everyone should unplug from HIVE until they are caught, .your. celebrating and ignoring my obvious, you look like fools. You know who is doing it....they are trying to kill me with it. The Havana Syndrome is real too you slave trading V2K, RNM enabling fuckers. Arrogantly play ignorant you Creeps, your setting the table for trafficking and total enslavement. I did not know I was circumvented until a year after I was..People here will be nice until it?s too late. There is no way to stop it once they have you. Grow the fuck up, this is not aliens, gods, celebrities or a medicate-able mental concern. It is 100% electronic and beast as fuck. You do not want this shit. https://ecency.com/fyrstikken/@fairandbalanced/i-am-the-only-motherfucker-on-the-internet-pointing-to-a-direct-source-for-voice-to-skull-electronic-terrorism ..... https://ecency.com/gangstalking/@acousticpulses/electronic-terrorism-and-gaslighting--if-you-downvote-this-post-you-are-part-of-the-problem
It's working so hard so that when the moment comes people say "he was lucky" but behind that moment there is a lot of work and effort behind it.
Maybe for some they are sparks and with that they can immortalize themselves and for others it is to work hard during their whole career and never get the glory, such is the case you mentioned of Powell.
Powell was really unfortunate. He remains one of the greatest sprinters of all time to me though... Major title or not
For most times, obsession usually beats talent. Many people become successful in their fields not because they're the most talented, but because they work harder than their opponents.
And I'd beg to differ about how far determination can take one, I believe that with the right mindset and motivation, determination and can take one all the way
Nice post. Some stars are just at the right place at the right time to capitalise on an opportunity to become an unexpected hero. The one that comes to mind for me is John Aloisi for Australia.
He scored the winning penalty in the shootout over Uruguay and we qualified for the 2006 World Cup for the first time in 32 years. Mark SchwarZer did thr hard work already with two wonder saves.
Against Japan in the first group stage game Cahill scored 2 goals in 5 mimites very late in the game to overturn a 1-0 Japan lead. Aloisi popped up to score the 3rd in injury time and seal the game.
All he did was finish off what others set up. But he's greatly remembered as our hero and he didn't reach any other great heights in his entire career