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Sport has always encouraged humans to go beyond their limits. Over the course of many years, there have been many extraordinary players in various disciplines, who have overcome massive odds to rise up to the top. These players have endured hard times, difficulties, both on and off the field and have gone on achieve impossible things for their respective countries, thus gaining huge amount of respect in the process and inspiring people and sportsmen worldwide. Here are 5 such athletes who gave it their all despite being restrained by circumstances, just like how Puma encourages athletes to give their best no matter what:
#1 Martina Navratilova
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova’s journey in the sport was a roller-coaster ride, to say the least. The Czechoslovakia-born player initially had to adapt to new conditions and surroundings after migrating to the United States at the age of 18 in 1975, due to the political turmoil in her country.
She was stripped of Czech citizenship and was a temporary US citizen till receiving permanent citizenship in the summer of 1981.
Soon after migrating to the US, she found ample support from all quarters, and was able to concentrate on her game more than anything else, and eventually earned more fame as a US citizen.
She never let all the hoopla affect her, and won her maiden French Open Women’s doubles title, partnering Chris Evert, in 1975, and then the Women’s doubles championships with the same partner at Wimbledon the next year.
Navratilova won the first of her singles’ titles at Wimbledon in 1978, and became World number 1 for the first time. She successfully defended her crown the very next year too.
The southpaw worked relentlessly at her game and went on to finish her illustrious career with 18 singles Grand Slam titles, a record 31 doubles crowns and 10 mixed-doubles titles to become an all-time great of the game.
#2 Nemanja Vidic
The former Manchester United star is a born leader. Having overcome various odds and challenges, the Serbian in his own words says that he likes to fight for everything. He is a footballer who always had to do things the hard way, and his resilience reflected in the way he played throughout his career.
Growing up in extremely tough and poor conditions where his country was constantly under war, Vidic did not give up on his passion and worked hard to rise to the top. His journey wasn’t easy and he even went into depression for a while when he was at Red Star Belgrade after losing a close friend to a heart-attack.
Following his good form at Red Star and Spartak Moscow, Manchester United came calling and he moved to England. His initial days in the United squad were tough, with him having to settle for a place on the substitutes bench on more than one occasion.
However, the few opportunities he did get, he made sure he grabbed them with both hands and went on to prove just how tough he was as a player.
As months passed by, his United stint too improved, with Vidic starting more often, and scoring the occasional goal for his side, as the primary central defender.
By the end of the 2006-07 season, he was an integral part of the United defense. He eventually quit the team after a glorious 8 years with the club, as a strong player and a stronger individual, and possibly as one of their best defenders of all-time.
#3 Anil Kumble
The sight of Anil Kumble slowly walking towards the middle, ready to bowl, with plaster around his jaws, is one of the inspiring images in modern day Cricket history.
It showed the toughness of the player and his character. Unfazed by the injury which shook the team, Anil Kumble bravely went on to bowl with a broken jaw, despite being advised rest by the team doctors.
Kumble was hit hard by a Merv Dillion delivery and started bleeding profusely. Yet, he continued batting for another half an hour, before he was taken to the dressing room for treatment. Once he was examined, it was revealed that he had sufferred a broken jaw and his involvement in the remainder of the match was doubtful.
The leg-spinner then came out to bowl, much to the surprise of the West Indians, and even went to dismiss the legendary Brian Lara. When asked why he came out to bowl, Kumble said that he ‘just didn’t want to sit around.'
That response showed how tough a cricketer he was and how he always gave his all for the team. The fact that he bowled more than 14 overs at a stretch, with a broken jaw signified his enormous strength of character and proved why he was regarded as one of the bravest cricketers in the world.
#4 Yuvraj Singh
Here’s one sportsman who literally fought death and achieved greatness. The mighty Yuvraj Singh shocked fans the world over when he announced that he had been diagnosed with Cancer early in the year 2012.
The stylish southpaw who was the Man of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup, did show some signs of being sick, but he never let it affect his game, and he delivered match-winning performances in almost every match that he played at the World Cup, much to the delight of his fans.
The 2011 World Cup would probably be called the biggest achievement of his celebrated career but that wasn't all. Previously, Yuvraj had also starred for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup win, where he had starred in many games, apart from hitting a record 6 sixes in an over against England.
After Yuvraj recovered from treatment, there were changes seen in his game and he was not his usual destructive self. Yet, he still won matches for his team and continued piling on the runs.
Yuvraj’s amazing comeback was also highly regarded by experts and former cricketers, and everyone praised his exemplary courage in fighting the deadly disease as he strived to achieve everything despite all the odds.
#5 Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar was the lynchpin of the Indian batting line-up throughout his career. However, the Master-Blaster had a tough time fighting injuries at a couple of junctures in his storied career, one of which was during the winter of 1999.
Tendulkar scored a brilliant century against Pakistan in Chennai in a test match that India narrowly lost by 12 runs. What captured the imagination of the fans was the fact that he battled a severe back injury during the innings to try and take his team through to the win. Though his heroic efforts couldn't get India the win, the memory of his fighting knock has remained with his fans forever.
Another moment during his career when he had to fight off a potentially career-threatening injury was when he was diagnosed with a tennis elbow. He had to undergo surgery and there were fears that his career could potentially be over.
However, the little master came back from his injuries and continued to entrall supporters all over, refusing to give up and giving it his all despite the injuries.
A man known for his toughness and resilience, Tendulkar fought and won against his injuries over the course of his career spanning 24 years. He was aptly rewarded for his immense dedication and passion for the game, when India lifted her second World Cup in 2011.
