Describe a time you were encouraged. How did you feel?
It was D-day—the day of my Copa De Singapura Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competition. I was a tad nervous, but mostly excited. There was only one other participant in my age, belt and weight category—Alyssa Lee. I would have to fight three matches against her and had to win two. I was going for gold!
Soon, it was time for my first match. I had been watching my competitor like a hawk. After a fleeting friendly handshake, it was time for Round 1! Just a couple of seconds into the match, Alyssa caught hold of the lapel on my gi and flung me across the mat like an old unwanted rag doll. I froze like a deer caught in the headlights. The rest of the match was a huge blur. All I knew was that Alyssa had won.
Alyssa Lee -1. Thea Kunur Tomhare - 0.
Reeling from the shock of the first loss, I decided to come in strong for the second. However, I was wrong. I fought with full might, but the second match was not a pretty sight either. Suddenly, Alyssa violently body-slammed me! A shooting pain ran through my back. However, there was a silver lining. As body-slamming was strictly against the rules of Jiu-jitsu, I was awarded this match's score.
Alyssa Lee -1. Thea Kunur Tomhare - 1.
With my head hung low, I sulked as I walked back to my teammates and my coach. Fear gripped my heart and beads of sweat trickled down the side of my face. That last point did not feel earned as it was only because Alyssa made a mistake. I was completely demoralised and tears welled up in my eyes.
Suddenly, my teammate Sarah gave me a tight bear hug and whispered, "Come on! You can do this!"
Before I knew it, my teammates had formed a tight huddle around me. "Thea! I know you can beat her," Jy said.
"You've got this, Thea! Good luck!" Valentina exclaimed.
"You're better than this! Go Thea!" cheered Sai.
I looked up at Coach Daryl, who said, "I have full faith in you. Try your best!"
Hearing all these words of encouragement helped me get my fighting spirit back.
The final match began. Seconds felt like hours, but then, I remembered what my coach and teammates had said: I COULD DO IT! TIME FOR PAYBACK! Move after move, I shook Alyssa up, switching from closed guard to mount! I swept her off balance, flipping her onto her back. She looked more scared than ever! I grabbed her hand at the speed of light and locked her in an armbar! She tapped out. I had won by submission. The final score was 2-16-0 and I had won! I had won my first gold medal!
"Thea! Thea!" cheered all my teammates as loud as thunder as they ran to hug me.
I thanked them and I knew I had won this medal only because of their encouragement and empathy!
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