Cass’ recent achievement at the recent Skate Malaysia 2024 is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Winning a gold medal was not just about her graceful one-minute performance on the ice. Behind the perfect one-minute performance is something no one would know if they didn’t ask. It was about the countless hours of practice every day, the sacrifices, the lack of sleep, the tears, injuries, physiotherapy sessions, and the determination that led up to that moment.
The Road to Victory: Daily Practice and Self-Discipline
Behind every flawless performance are countless hours of practice. Cass’ journey was no different. She dedicated herself to daily practice, both on and off the ice. This included self-learning sessions where she would watch videos, attend online courses conducted by accomplished skaters from overseas, analyze techniques, and practice tirelessly to perfect her moves. Her commitment to the sport meant early mornings, late nights, and a schedule packed with skating lessons and self-training.
Overcoming Obstacles: Injuries and Physiotherapy
The path to success is rarely smooth, and Cass faced her share of obstacles. Injuries are an unfortunate part of any sport, and ice skating is no exception. Cass had to deal with injuries, including a lateral sprain on her ankle just three weeks before the competition. This required physiotherapy sessions and a temporary halt to her training. I thought that she would have to skip Skate Malaysia 2024. However, her determination saw her through these tough times, and she managed to recover enough to compete, though not at 100%. Last year she fell during training and injured her back. Off she went for physiotherapy again and after the fall, I bought her butt guard pants. Weeks before she fell, I dreamt that she fell on ice, and in my dream, I saw how she fell – she was spinning when she fell hard on the ice and flipped several times. It was every mother’s nightmare!
The Financial Commitment: An Expensive Sport
Ice skating is an expensive sport, especially if you decide to compete. The costs of rink time, coaching, equipment, costume, choreography fees, extra lessons, competition participation fees, miscellaneous fees, and physiotherapy add up quickly. Even downloading a song for her routine had a price tag to it. As parents, we had to make sacrifices to support Cass’ dreams. This meant cutting back on other expenses and prioritizing her skating needs. Despite the financial strain, seeing her passion and growth made every sacrifice worthwhile.
The Transformation: Shaping Character and Discipline
Beyond the medals and accolades, ice skating has profoundly shaped Cass’ character. The discipline required to excel in the sport has translated into other areas of her life. She has become more focused, responsible, better at time management, and resilient. The lessons learned on the ice have made her a more disciplined individual, ready to face life’s challenges head-on.
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