Recently I watched the documentary on Naomi Osaka, the first Asian player to hold the top rank in tennis singles. She is listed number 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and is the current champion of US Open and Australian Open. Perhaps the most memorable victory we witnessed was her first US Open championship when she beat another legendary tennis player, Serena Williams. Imagine how that must have felt like, beating someone that you have admired all your life. This was in 2018 and she was 21 years old that time. The world took notice of her and she shot up to fame. In this Netflix series, it showed her as a person who struggles with pressures of fame, constantly dealing with mental stability and focus, and ultimately finding her own self. She is used to following someone’s path, not being on the top where she must define who she is and have confidence in herself. She has a lot of fans and her being shy, introverted and how she is overcoming this has endeared her to many. Yet not all … last May, she boycotted her mandatory post games press interviews at the French Open. She was penalized by the organizers and as the pressure mounted, she decided to withdraw from the tournament altogether. She also withdrew from the Wimbledon this year. Her controversial behavior has mixed reception. One thing is clear though, she is human, and she is doing her best to thrive in her field.
Naomi Osaka being the pride of Japan lighted the torch at the Tokyo opening ceremony of the 2020 Olympics (1 year delayed because of the pandemic). She represents countless of athletes in their journey of successes, failures, challenges, pain and struggles to win the much-coveted medals. I have but respect for them. If one is to cover each of their stories making it to this most prestigious competition and representing their countries, I would be shedding a bucketful of tears for sure. Not only their individual stories but that of their families most especially their parents who had to endure taking them to training sessions, watch anxiously on the stands during the games and be their constant emotional support. Let’s not forget to mention their coaches who partners with them as well in this endeavor.
Take Naomi Osaka alone, she started her training when she was only 3 years old. It would be the same for all the other athletes, starting out during their toddler years when all other kids their age are just playing in regular playgrounds. Imagine, the tremendous discipline that is required. For the Olympics, this is happening every 4 years and so these athletes must compete on other tournaments in between. This means continuous rigorous training and mental preparation. Osaka in the documentary would only have a few days to celebrate a win then she has to prepare for another tournament. Why go through this? Why subject yourself in such a difficult path? What motivates them to go on? It is, of course, the sweet savour of success. It is focusing on gaining that prize - gold medal/trophy that is celebrated not just by the athlete but their families, their coaches, and even in most cases the whole country they represent. It has become a mission and has become much bigger than oneself.
I am reminded about the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ during His time here on earth and up to the present era. Among Jesus’ disciples, only John had a natural death. The rest had a painful end. Peter was crucified upside down. Paul was imprisoned, flogged multiple times, constantly on the run from authorities trying to silence him. Finally, he was beheaded under Emperor Nero. Even today, we see churches burned and missionaries brutally killed.
What motivates them to endure such horrifying persecution, death and agony in order to preach the good news of salvation? What motivates you and me to defend our faith in Jesus? It is somewhat the same inspiration from these Olympic athletes. The sweet savour of success is eclipsed by our wonderful experience of having a personal relationship with Jesus that brings incomparable joy, peace, and fulfillment. This allows us to persevere amidst trials and sufferings on this earth. The prize of gold medal/trophies is overshadowed by the prize that awaits us in Heaven – the crown of victory, everlasting life and our Master’s anticipated words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”. May we press on and not lose our focus.
“I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” – Philippians 3:13-14
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