Andrelina Hsu Week 9 - Beyond Muscles
Beyond Muscles
When it comes to sports, power is often associated with physical strength. However, muscles and agility are not the only requirements for a successful athletic career. Power extends beyond sheer physical capabilities, as it includes resilience, determination, and the capability to push through hard times. Take snowboarding as an example; balance, coordination, and muscular endurance are some of the most basic demands required to be good at this sport. Yet, hidden within the heart and mind of a successful snowboarder is the unspoken attribute of perseverance.
Marcus Kleveland, a 24-year-old snowboarder who is arguably one of the best in the world as of today, suffered a detrimental injury during the early stages of his career. As a rookie, Kleveland came into people’s sights during the 2017 Winter X Games in Aspen, when he landed the first ever quad cork in competition history. However, at a practice the following year, Kleveland sustained a major injury to his kneecap, where he shattered the entire bone.
In a short documentary made by the X Games account on Instagram, Kleveland stated, “In the moment, I thought I dislocated my knee because I couldn’t feel my kneecap. And then I laid on my stomach and just felt that there was nothing there.” After undergoing two surgeries, Kleveland made an Instagram post explaining the incident, stating, “...I’m on the road to recovery. Obviously I’m really bummed, but I’m focusing on the positive and rehab and I can’t wait to get back on my board!” Since snowboarding is a heavily lower body focused sport, sustaining such a high degree of injury to the knee forced Kleveland to face a life-altering setback. This devastating event not only tested his physical abilities but also challenged his mental resilience to the limit.
Instead of accepting his fate like what most regular athletes would do when it came to a major injury like this, Kleveland chose to keep going and eventually regained his strength to be back on the board. All of his rehabilitation paid off, when he took gold at the 2020 Winter X Games (YouTube) in the Men’s Snowboard Knuckle Huck, and continued his winning streak by placing first in the following two years at the Winter X Games in the Big Air category.
While his physical strength undoubtedly played a role in his journey to recovery, Kleveland’s relentless determination and love for this sport kept him going. His unwavering perseverance and unbreakable spirit showed that even in the toughest of times, the ability to rise after each fall and the strength to overcome mental barriers are the most important aspects for athletes.
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Hi Andrelina! First of all, I like the title that you chose for your blog. “Beyond Muscles” perfectly describes the “attribute of perseverance” that you go more in-depth on for the majority of the blog. I also like how many hyperlinks you put into your blog. In my old cohort, most people put their sources at the end of the blog; I feel like your method of embedding them in the text is more effective. I also like how you decided to attack the topic of overcoming mental barriers as proof that power is not limited to physical prowess. It’s also interesting that my knee hurts right now as I write this comment. Although this is definitely just a coincidence, I can’t stop thinking about how I would feel if my kneecap was completely shattered like his was. It’s impressive that he was able to make such a comeback and place “first in the following two years at the Winter X Games” after such a big injury.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrelina! Your blog about how physical strength is not the only factor in sports is really interesting. I like how vividly explored Marcus Kleveland’s exceptional story of determination and recovery to show how important mindset and attitude are for success in sports. I can think of many other examples that show how athleticism is not the only deciding factor. Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most popular and greatest basketball players ever, was gifted. He was 7 foot 1 inch tall and weighed over 300 pounds, but in his prime, he also had amazing handles, footwork, and fluidity. Shaq dominated in the paint, bullying the rest of the league. Other NBA players were already professional athletes with incredible genetics and athletics, yet he stood tall and strong among them. In the end, he had an exceptional career, with multiple MVPs and championships. However, he had a teammate who many argue surpassed him. This teammate had an average build in the NBA, standing at 6 foot 6 inches and weighing 200 pounds. Even his vertical was not exceptional. However, Kobe Bryant’s mindset was an exception. People told stories of how he worked early in the morning, preparing his body and training all alone. His form, mind, and skills were all dedicated to achieving higher in the game. In the end, he earned more championships than Shaq and is often placed higher in all-time NBA rankings. A reporter once asked, “Who would Shaq be if he had your work ethic?” Bryant responded, “He would be the greatest of all time.” It goes to show that sports, along with other competitions in life, are not determined only by natural talents. The most important factor is one’s dedication to constantly improving, despite the challenges and emotions.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrelina! I found your blog super interesting as this is a new topic for me. Your blog provides a fascinating story about the many sides where power plays a role in sports and emphasizes the importance of qualities beyond physical abilities. The use of snowboarding and Marcus Kleveland's story as an example adds a personal touch, making the content relatable and engaging. Your introduction effectively sets up the rest of your blog, which explores power in sports, and brings up the larger theory of resilience and mental strength. The incorporation of Marcus Kleveland's personal experience, particularly his injury and subsequent recovery, adds a human element to your blog. Kleveland’s journey was inspirational and highlighting the mental and emotional aspects of his story strengthens your argument. Furthermore, the use of direct quotes from Kleveland himself, such as the Instagram post story helps add credibility to the blog. It allows readers to sympathize with Kleveland on a more personal level. The transition of the description of his injury to his win in the Winter X Games portrayed the central theme of your blog very well. Overall, the structure of your blog keeps the readers hooked and invested in Kleveland’s story. Great job!
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