Winners Don't Quit
Winners Don't Quit
An Olympic Story of Perseverance and Determination
“Winning is fun ... sure. But winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point.”
- Pat Summitt
Winners Don’t Quit
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
In the years leading up to World War II, Karoly Takács was a renowned member of the Hungarian pistol shooting team, considered the world's top pistol shooter. He had achieved incredible success, winning numerous national and international championships, and was poised to take home the gold medal in the 1940 Olympic Games. However, fate had other plans for him.
In 1938, while serving in the Hungarian army as a sergeant, a defective grenade exploded in Takács' right hand - his shooting hand - shattering both his hand and Olympic dreams. Despite the devastating setback, Takács refused to give up on his passion for shooting. After spending a month in the hospital, he made a decision that would change his life forever - he would teach himself to shoot with his left hand.
For months, Takács practiced in secret, determined to make a comeback. When he showed up for the Hungarian pistol shooting championship the following year, his competitors were stunned. They assumed he was there as a spectator, but Takács proved them wrong by winning the championship. Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II meant that the next two Olympic Games were canceled, leaving Takács facing yet another setback.
Undeterred, Takács continued to train. By the time the 1948 Olympics in London rolled around, he was 38 years old and still unable to use his natural shooting hand. However, he had qualified for the Hungarian Olympic team, much to the surprise of many. When the pre-Olympic favorite and world record holder asked him why he was there, Takács simply replied, "I'm here to learn."
Despite being considered an underdog, Takács won the gold medal, beating the world record by ten points. During the medal ceremony, the previous world record holder, who had finished second, turned to Takács and said, "You have learned enough." Four years later, in Helsinki, Takács won again, becoming the first Olympic champion to repeat in that event.
Karoly Takács' story is one of perseverance and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. He refused to let his injury define him, instead choosing to work tirelessly to achieve his dreams. His remarkable achievements earned him a place among the greatest shots of all time.
“A winner never stops trying.”
- Tom Landry
Connecting this quote to the story. Takács's story is a testament to the importance of perseverance, resilience, and a never-give-up attitude. It shows that even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a true winner never stops trying and remains committed to achieving their goals.
Chasing Influence tip: Motivation can get you started; commitment gets you to the finish line.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2024