Impossible says I M POSSIBLE

Winning is an attitude. It can only be developed by hardwork, dedication and courage.

Shun Fujimoto

Shun Fujimoto proved that the pain barrier can be overcome in the pursuit of glory and success. The Japanese gymnast was the strongest competitor for his nation in the 1976 Olympics, as the Asian country looked to oust favourites Soviet Union to the gold medal. In the third last event it became clear that Fujimoto had fractured his kneecap, which would rule him out of the remaining two events. Fujimoto had other ideas. Going against medical advice and the concern of his team-mates and coach, Fujimoto completed the last two events. The finale was a triple somersault from eight feet in the air from the rings, which he landed perfectly before falling in agony. Fujimoto received a personal best 9.7 out of 10 for the event and Japan won the team gold by 0.4 of a point. It was later revealed that Fujimoto had originally broken the kneecap, then dislocated it when dismounting the rings, and torn ligaments in his leg. Doctors were baffled at how he could compete without succumbing to pain, and that he rejected assistance onto the podium to receive his gold medal.

Glenn Cunningham

Glenn Cunningham’s story is, well, almost unbelievable. As an eight-year old he was caught up in an explosion in his native Kansas, which killed his older brother Floyd. His legs and feet were badly burned, and doctors recommended amputating his legs. Glenn had lost all the toes on his left foot, and the transverse arch of the foot was ravaged. The flesh on his knees and shins had been eaten away by the flames. His right leg was grossly misshapen and was now a full two inches shorter than the left leg. However, Cunningham was determined he would walk again, against the odds, and as he grew older dedicated his life to athletics. Cunningham competed in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games, winning medals and setting world records. At his peak, Cunningham also ran the four-minute mile, a feat that was deemed physically impossible at the time.

Kathrine Switzer: The Girls Got What It Needs To Take

Kathrine Switzer showed bravery by contesting a male-dominated sporting society in the 1960′s and 70′s, and played a huge role in achieving gender equality in long distance running. In 1967, Switzer ran the Boston marathon despite the event being open to only males. Upon seeing a female competing, officials and organisers tried to stop her from running, and tried to rip her competition number back from her. Switzer managed to complete the event, and was the first woman to win the New York City marathon in 1974.

Lance Armstrong

Diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer at the age of 25, doctors gave Lance Armstrong less than a 40 percent chance of recovery. Tumors were discovered in his lungs and stomach along with multiple lesions on the brain.

His biking career was over or so everyone thought; but no one counted on the indomitable belief Armstrong had in himself and the lessons which his mother, Linda Walling had taught him.

One of the first things that he did was to acknowledge the disease that had captured him in its talons and learn everything he could about it. He devoured books, resources and found help in support groups with people going through similar difficulties.

Lance sought strength in three things his mother had instilled in him

“Make every obstacle an opportunity”, “Always work hard and good things will happen” and “Don’t believe it when other people say you can’t”.

His first comeback after beating cancer was not a success and he finished fourteenth in the race. He even thought about retirement but constant support from his fiancée, mother and buddy Chris Carmichael soon had him training for his next race in the Appalachians.

He returned from his training a transformed man and never let the constant difficulties plough him down again.

True, the doping scandals have destroyed Lance’s reputation as a professional biker. But one cannot but admire his sheer will power and dedication through which he turned the odds in his favor at a time when everyone thought his life was over.

Michael Jordan

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” ~ Michael Jordan.

Jordan suffered his first set-back in his sophomore year when he was left out of the varsity basketball team. Reason? He was only 5’9” at that time. His taller classmate Leroy Smith had won the last spot on the team.

He made up his mind that he would never have to face a similar situation ever again and started practicing every day after that, making it a point to take out time for his practice daily without fail. He soon shot up to 6’3”, made the team the next year and never had to look back after that.

From being a part of two gold-medal winning teams at the Olympics to winning NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award five times in his career, Jordan dominated the sports field for more than a decade in the ‘90s.

The Strongest Girl I Ever Knew

In Loving Memory of Kelly Doe

She never got to dance,
Or go to her own Prom.
She never got the chance,
To forget where she came from.

She never got to kiss,
A man she idolized.
She never felt love's bliss,
'Cause she was paralyzed.

She never got to talk,
About love with a smile.
She never got to walk,
Down a Church's Aisle.

She never got to say,
Those precious words "I Do".
But she was far and away,
The strongest girl I ever knew.

She couldn't brush her hair,
Or put make up on her face.
She couldn't hold you dear,
Or give you a warm embrace.

She couldn't clasp her hands,
As if in the form of prayer.
She couldn't understand,
Why she was in a wheelchair.

She never showed her fears,
Or let you hear her cries.
She never showed the tears,
That fell down from her eyes.

She never looked for pity,
Or sympathy from you.
That's why she'll always be,
The strongest girl I ever knew.

By Ronnie Doe