I have always been fascinated by athletes who are at the top of their game. It is incredible to see how they perform weekly, monthly, yearly, and, in some instances, for a decade. Although I have never had the privilege of meeting any international athletes, I do know a few local athletes who have been very successful on the international stage.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL: WINNING AT THE OLYMPICS
Winning a gold medal at the Olympics must be one of the greatest sporting achievements an athlete can attain. I have no doubt that if I were to ask every single athlete at the Olympic Games in Paris one question, their answers would be remarkably similar. You do not reach the Olympics without working incredibly hard and pushing your body beyond its limits. The key to success in all spheres of life is discipline. Discipline doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and that is why it is such a crucial part of achieving success. Here, I will highlight my top five athletes of all time and discuss what impressed me about each of them.
MY TOP 5 INSPIRATIONAL ATHLETES
- Simone Biles (American Gymnast): Simone Biles is an exceptional role model because of her fearlessness. She has a move named after her called the “Biles,” which involves a double layout with a half turn followed by a blind landing. At the age of 16, she represented the USA at the World Championships and won four gold medals. She has since won seven Olympic gold medals.
- Usain Bolt (Jamaican Athlete): Usain Bolt announced himself to the athletic world in 2008 at the Olympics in Beijing. He won three gold medals and broke three world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. His confidence bordered on arrogance, but he always delivered.
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (American Athlete): Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is the current world record holder in the 400m hurdles. She is the first track athlete to break four world records in the same event, achieving this feat in just 13 months. What I admire about her is her humility and openness about her religion.
- Akani Simbine (South African Athlete and Fellow Laureus Ambassador): Akani Simbine has held the African record in the 100m and narrowly missed out on a medal in the 100m by 0.01 seconds at the 2024 Olympics. He redeemed himself with a silver medal in the 4x100m relay, making an impressive comeback with a blistering last leg, moving from 6th to 2nd place. A softly spoken individual, Akani deserves all the credit that comes his way. You will not find a humbler person.
- Natalie du Toit (South African Swimmer and Paralympic Gold Medalist): Natalie du Toit lost her leg in a motorcycle accident but did not let that hold her back. She won five gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and is a trailblazer for athletes with disabilities, breaking down barriers and challenging perceptions of what can be achieved in life and sport. Her journey from tragedy to triumph is a remarkable example of discipline and tenacity.
As I write this, I am reminded of many other athletes I could have chosen, but the five athletes mentioned above have one thing in common: they have demonstrated incredible discipline and grit throughout their careers.
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