It was the day of the dragon boat PM Cup. I was only there to support the canoeists (yeah, funny story) and of course, the eye candy. They did well, but it was the db guys who we were really looking out for. They’ve trained hard to take back what was once theirs. From the start they had a good lead. But alas, at the literal last second, the reigning champion NUS burst forth to take home the title.
The race was incontestably fair, and everybody bore witness to the reason that made the champions who they are. But these db guys has put in no less effort. Whatever little that made them lost was unfathomable to them. And it shows on their faces.
The db guys are easily the most intimidating bunch in school. To see these behemoths openly crying seems like a distortion in the world. And to know the story behind it, you can’t help but feel their heart-wrenching pain.
Tears were spilled in a solemn exchange of words and shaking of hands by the entire team. Coach asked me to join in, so I found myself in an awkward position. Nonetheless, with every hand I shook I felt the tremor of conviction and the genuine quiver of disappointment.
At the end of it, the juniors were told to remember - the taste of defeat and the sniff of victory when they were that close. For there will be a next time for some of them, and training for it will start tomorrow. There are some poisonous words for athletes, one of them being 365 days left till the next competition. One day less is one day closer, if you’re not training for it your opponent will. And you never end a competition saying you’ll train harder. You’ve trained as hard as you can this time and likewise for every competition.
All these reminds me of my own battle in lifesaving, how we’re picking up the pieces year in and out. I miss making every competition matter, having gave it my all and putting all I’ve got on the line. I miss having a team that matters with me.
During NS in unit, there was a dilemma at the start with the men. How do you make people with nothing to lose follow you for a common cause? Eventually, I learnt that people with nothing to lose will always lose.
So I gave my men something.
I gave them a section that bonded, I gave them whatever care I could blanket them with and I gave them what little knowledge I had. I gave them my all. And in return, they showed me unnerving loyalty.
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
So at the end of nationals I won’t be the one saying well done, good job. At the end and beginning of the next, I will apologise.
