My guest today is Sidney Kumar, former Singapore Rugby Player, Educator, Coach, Husband, Father and Podcast Host.
Even though we’ve known each other a short time and I am 7 years older, the fact that he plays a team sport and that we share the same alma mater, makes everything so much more relatable.
Sidney shares how not one knee injury but 2 knee severe injuries left him almost not being able to fulfil his dream of representing Singapore at the SEA Games. An excellent narration of his life in the sport of Rugby and how this has not just shaped him as a player, but also as a teacher, coach, father and husband.
Welcoming Sidney Kumar.
Timestamp:
- 3.00 Sidney introduces himself
- 6.00 Tough times playing rugby in secondary school with no achievements
- 7.30 Looking at playing rugby at a higher level after junior college
- 8.00 Took it upon himself to go for trials even though was not called up
- 9.15 Fueled by desire to play more and to play for Singapore
- 10.40 Made is to the under 19 Singapore team at 17 years old
- 12.10 Eye opening experience with first international experience
- 13.22 National exam and National Service was a break from rugby
- 15.45 Playing club level rugby from post-army university and drafted into the National team
- 19.10 Broke his leg during a game
- 22.15 Extent of injury
- 23.45 Fell into a depressive state of loss and reflection
- 26.40 Being optimistic about the injury recovery period to prepare for the 2015 SEA Games
- 29.30 The road to recovery entering a new work environment as well
- 32.20 Resigned to the fact that he would not make the team but stayed on to support the team
- 34.45 Set goal to play in the 2017 SEA Games
- 37.00 Tore MCL on the “good” leg
- 39.00 Played well in competition and knee held up
- 40.10 Devastated because was told that he would not make the 2017 SEA Games team
- 42.00 Training camp overseas despite not making the team
- 44.00 Suddenly got called up to fly in to join the team in Malaysia
- 48.00 Finished with a silver medal and happy ending
- 49.00 Multiple rejections
- 50.10 Having a goal made that defining difference
- 53.00 Discipline in a team sport helped spread the load and responsibility
- 54.00 Growth mindset which allows the mind to explore possibilities being endless despite challenges and setbacks
