Throughout my life, sports have characterized who I am. They have challenged me to overcome what once were my limits and fortified my self-confidence.
In my early childhood, swimming, ballet, and figure skating were hobbies of mine. For the second sport, I developed an interest in it and took weekly dance classes for several years until time became too scarce. Figure skating is similar to ballet - both require deft techniques and elegant posture - and I also took classes for it. Unfortunately, time forced me to stop skating.
Skiing is a sport I've done for the longest time. As a toddler, I took lessons at Whistler and slowly learned how to maneuver myself using skis and two poles. For more than a decade, I returned to that ski resort during the winter and spent hours zipping past the snow with my mother following suit. This sport created countless memories, from ski lift mishaps to the exhilarating sensation I felt when zipping down the ski paths at top speed. Despite the aching limbs and wind-whipped hair, I'm always left with a smile on my face when I return to the hotel, lugging my skis long.
In middle school, I experimented with basketball. With a kind coach and friendly fellow players, I learned the basics of the sport and gradually improve my handling of the ball. Dribbling was a difficult skill for me to master, but with more practice, I became better and better at it. Before trying basketball, I had never thought I would survive a single game, let alone spend an entire school season playing it. Stepping outside of my comfort zone was a body-trembling feat, but my courage grew with every successful pass and the occasional score.
Around the same time, I joined the school volleyball team. Within the first few months, I developed a liking for the sport. At first, bumping the ball brought pain to my tender forearms. However, I grew accustomed to it and as a I added more moves to my repertoire, my enthusiasm made the aches seem unimportant. My most polished skill was serving the ball underhand, while smashes came less easily to me. Nevertheless, during games, I would give it my all - running across the court to get to the ball and paying attention to where it was at all times. All of the practice times were early in the morning, but I didn't complain. Through rigorous exercises and warming up with running laps across the gym, I persevered and gained valuable life skills.
All of these sports shaped my being in various ways. Although the performing and written arts appeal to me more, the physical arts have enriched my life.