Back From The Dead
I am 37 years old. 3 years away from being able to play in veteran badminton tournaments. In the other direction, 19 years since I last played in regular competition. In most senses of the word - ex.
Ex-county...
Ex-champion...
Ex-handsome...
Ex-fit...
Ex-actly.
So why on earth would I choose his year as my comeback year? After a few years of being a little overweight, dealing with a kidney condition, not enough exercise?
The truth is...I haven't chosen this year to be my comeback year.
It has chosen me.
As part of my new year's resolution, I determined to join a badminton club. I couldn't find a good one in my immediate locality, so I looked up an old contact, and joined a club a good deal further away.
Turns out they have some damn fine players there. And some really cracking matches have ensued. Ok, my form wasn't top drawer to start with. Missed a lot of shots whilst getting my eye in. Suffered a lot of aching muscles. Lost a contact lense in the vast oceans of sweat pouring from my brow.
But suddenly, two weeks ago, it all clicked back into place.
Every shot started working. Power arrived abruptly in my wrist. Closely followed by the return of the killer instinct.
As luck would have it - on that very clubnight - a County Selector happened to be watching from the balcony.
I've received my call to arms.
County match invites floating down onto my doormat.
No, I don't believe it either.
But by-God-am-I-ever going to seize this second bite of the cherry with every denture I own, and I swear I'll never let it get away again. With every nerve, fibre, tendon and muscle until I physically cannot crawl onto the badminton court, I will train, workout, run, dive, attack, defend, and hunt down every point until my blood is on the service lines.
Make no mistake, I'm going to win everything or die trying.
Whoever gave me this second chance, you won't regret it.
(Lilleshall Center Of Excellence England Trials 1983)
Sergei
Ex-county...
Ex-champion...
Ex-handsome...
Ex-fit...
Ex-actly.
So why on earth would I choose his year as my comeback year? After a few years of being a little overweight, dealing with a kidney condition, not enough exercise?
The truth is...I haven't chosen this year to be my comeback year.
It has chosen me.
As part of my new year's resolution, I determined to join a badminton club. I couldn't find a good one in my immediate locality, so I looked up an old contact, and joined a club a good deal further away.
Turns out they have some damn fine players there. And some really cracking matches have ensued. Ok, my form wasn't top drawer to start with. Missed a lot of shots whilst getting my eye in. Suffered a lot of aching muscles. Lost a contact lense in the vast oceans of sweat pouring from my brow.
But suddenly, two weeks ago, it all clicked back into place.
Every shot started working. Power arrived abruptly in my wrist. Closely followed by the return of the killer instinct.
As luck would have it - on that very clubnight - a County Selector happened to be watching from the balcony.
I've received my call to arms.
County match invites floating down onto my doormat.
No, I don't believe it either.
But by-God-am-I-ever going to seize this second bite of the cherry with every denture I own, and I swear I'll never let it get away again. With every nerve, fibre, tendon and muscle until I physically cannot crawl onto the badminton court, I will train, workout, run, dive, attack, defend, and hunt down every point until my blood is on the service lines.
Make no mistake, I'm going to win everything or die trying.
Whoever gave me this second chance, you won't regret it.
(Lilleshall Center Of Excellence England Trials 1983)
Sergei
posted by therussian | 2/21/2006 09:51:00 PM
6 Comments:
I can't believe there was ever any doubt of the power of your wrist...
To be "ex" anything would imply you were once that thing...
Hmmm.
*Picture proof now added to post...*
"..or die trying."
"Mummy, did Daddy die trying to rescue someone from a burning building, or something else heroic?"
"Erm, kinda. He died trying to beat a teenager at badders."
I'm assuming that's you on the far right in the snazzy (!) white striped cap-sleeved t-shirt?
I'd recognise that grin anywhere...
(At least, I *hope* that's you)
Of course it is...only the weight has changed, not the stoopid grin...!
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