Synopsis
The thrill of victory, agony of defeat and human drama of competition are the fundamental allure of sport. Its glorious unpredictability is truly captivating and nothing captures our imagination more than a contest which suddenly comes alive after the result appeared to be a foregone conclusion. Whether it’s the anguish of a choke or the brilliance of a comeback, Days of Miracle and Wonder captures these moments and tells the unique stories behind 25 of the most incredible sporting victories.
Excerpt
At its best, sport requires athletes to give more than they thought they could – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I know from personal experience that a person is rarely more alive – or living in the moment – than during an intense sporting event. There are no regrets about the past or angst about the future in the heat of competition. Life is now. As a match ebbs and flows, it can be a wild ride. At crucial moments, the most difficult questions can be posed and only champions are able to answer.
Some teams and players can’t deal with pressure. They reach the brink of success and then implode spectacularly in what we refer to as a sporting choke. When it happens, it becomes a part of sporting folklore, unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Choking in sport has been called ‘analysis paralysis’; the point where physical and mental changes occur due to increased tension. Strategies are changed to cope with the situation and if it doesn’t work, confidence can be lost to the point of panic. It’s a lonely and helpless feeling.
On the other hand, a player or team rising from the canvas to fight their way back into a contest is one of the most exciting things about being a sports player or fan. No matter the level of competition, no matter the sport, no matter the importance of the game, there is something exhilarating about seeing a player or a team dig down deep to overcome the odds. A comeback has even been described as “the single greatest aspect of competition that most embodies the spirit of what makes sport extraordinary.”
When it’s impossible to determine exactly what happened, it is often left to perspective. Which player or team were you supporting? In the anguish of a defeat, it’s comforting to think the opponent ‘came back’ to win, whereas in victory you can say ‘they choked’. In the end, the result stands either way and in the quest for a common goal, there can be only one winner. Names etched onto cups and trophies record these results but sporting chapters are not written on the bare facts of score lines. The glory of sport is in the contest itself.
About the Author
I’m originally from New Zealand and now live in Brisbane Australia. My passions in life are travel, outdoor adventure and sport.
I’ve explored over 50 countries across 5 continents of the world, which inspired me to create a website and write two travel books. Travel Unravelled is a guide book for anyone wanting to travel the world on a budget and Around the World in 80 Tales is a collection of my experiences doing exactly that.
More recently, I have begun a series of sports books. ‘Days of Miracle and Wonder’ tells the unique stories behind 25 of the most incredible sporting victories and the impact they had on the lives of those involved. There will be more sports books with amazing true stories coming soon!
