What is most often said about the importance of sports is how they support physical health and fitness. I am not here to question these basic benefits of sports; I simply want to share a few specific lessons that have made a difference in my life.
The first sport I practiced in my youth was handball. I remember spending most games on the bench because I could not develop any particular skill in the sport. I do not have fond memories of it. But I learned to keep going and persist, even when I was frustrated by not performing well on the court. I also recognize that it builds arm strength, which is very important later in life, especially in survival situations.
One important thing about handball that I only understood more clearly as an adult is the difference between a standing throw and a three-step throw. Biomechanics studies show that a three-step throw can generate up to 1.5 to 2 times more ball speed than a standing throw. I still apply this comparison to other areas of life. For example, when I am learning a new skill, putting in a little more practice creates enough intensity to improve more than I would with less effort.
After handball, I played a little indoor soccer, or futsal. I was a bit better at it than I had been at handball, and I enjoyed it more because I could see that I was contributing more to the team’s performance. I felt more confident, even though I was clearly no star player.
Next, I had my first experience with a martial art: taekwondo, a Korean martial art that focuses more on kicks than punches. My right leg and right arm were stronger. Practicing taekwondo helped me improve my left side to the point that it influenced other sports too. In soccer, I began scoring goals and making good passes with my left foot as well.
Alongside taekwondo, I took a few karate classes. Through karate, I explored the philosophy of Eastern discipline a little more, and it helped me build punching strength.
What I realized while practicing these martial arts is that I had strengths and weaknesses, and through repetition I was able to improve my weaknesses and refine what I was already good at. This applies to every area of life.
I would also add chess to this list: the ancient mental sport that I practiced for a while in my youth. Many people say it improves logical reasoning. But logical reasoning can also be developed by studying Latin. What I think chess brought to my life most distinctively was the ability to move forward proactively and with determination after feeling frustrated by making one or more mistakes during a game.
The number of possible chess moves is almost infinite. Even world champions make inaccurate or poor moves. What makes them champions is their ability to keep going and recover more skillfully from mistakes made during a game, overcome frustration, and ultimately win.
Speaking of chess, one art I would like to return to is the gentle art of Jiu-Jitsu, which is considered physical chess because of its complexity. I recognize that contact martial arts are essential for self-defense, but repeated blows to the head can have negative health consequences. Jiu-Jitsu, on the other hand, can be practiced at a moderate and even high level for practically an entire lifetime.
This history of sports shaped part of my personality. Practicing them gave me the confidence that I can improve in other areas because I have learned the basic principles for achieving the results I want: I know that practice takes repetition, that sometimes I need to increase the intensity, that I need to keep practicing to maintain the desired level of precision, and that losing or failing is part of life and always offers a lesson. Most important in life is not giving up on a goal when it aligns with your calling.