Local schools’ sports stars not only bring honor to their institutions, but also have fun and learn perseverance and time management to help them succeed in life.

Schafer Wilson, Grade 10

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Why is it appealing to you?

A: I used to enjoy team-related sports such as basketball and baseball. However, I lost interest in playing those types of team sports when I was in middle school, so my dad urged me to join cross country and track. Now that I have been running cross country and track for a while, I am becoming a better runner each year. 

Q: Have you attended any sports clubs at your school? Have you attended any competitions? Any awards?

A: I joined the cross country and track team when I was in the seventh grade. I made the varsity team for both sports last year as a freshmen (Grade 9), and I competed in SISAC and APAC races. My greatest award so far is the bronze medal during APAC for the 3,000-meter event in track.

Q: Does it affect your studies?

A: I keep up with my homework even with after-school practices, and I make myself go to bed before 11pm on weekdays, so cross country and track does not affect my studying as much as I thought it would.

Q: What does sports mean to you?

A: Running is a sport that encourages me to try my hardest and push through any difficulties. It is a sport that has taught me that if you want to achieve a goal, you have to keep pushing, even if it’s tiring and painful.

Lan Tao, Year 13

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Why is it appealing to you?

A: When I was three years old, I started to play tennis, and up until I was 12, I always believed that tennis would be my main sport. However, around the age of nine, I started to play basketball at a local league in Vancouver, Canada, thinking that I would just try a new sport. This league really introduced me to the sport and helped me recognize some of my talent. Over time, I realized that I needed to be challenged at a higher level. Soon, I started to play at a very competitive level of basketball and represented many different teams.

Basketball is an extremely rewarding sport to play and I really enjoy the thrill of the competition. There is great satisfaction in hearing the ball swish through the net without touching the rim, and in developing different strategies with my team.

Q: Have you attended any sports clubs in your school? Have you attended any competitions? Any awards?

A: With British International School, Puxi, I joined the SISAC basketball team, along with the SISAC football team. With my school teams, I have attended SISAC basketball and football tournaments, along with ACAMIS basketball and football — I play goalkeeper in football. For basketball, we placed in the top three in Shanghai and, for the last two years, we have won the ACAMIS competition. For football, we also placed in the top three in Shanghai, and we won ACAMIS this past year.

In Vancouver, I played in countless tournaments and received many different awards, which are all great memories of my basketball career.

Q: Any interesting story about sports?

A: As I have played basketball for many years now, there are always great stories and great moments. One of the most interesting and unforgettable moments from basketball was when I was playing in the finals with my school basketball team in Grade 9 in Canada, against our biggest rivals. We were losing by 16 points, but slowly we managed to catch up and I managed to hit a clutch shot that made me really feel like I was in one of those movies where those impossible last second shots are hit.

With 8 seconds left to go in the game, the opponent called a timeout and my team gathered up to cheer because we finally caught up and were leading by 2 points. Suddenly, as we were celebrating, I got a cramp in my whole leg and I embarrassingly fell backwards. So there I sat in the middle of the court, with my leg completely stuck, for a good 10 minutes, listening to my athletic director call out, “Do we have bananas? We need bananas. Chocolate? Somebody get us some chocolate.” Soon, I was carried off the court, with some old Halloween candy in my hand, watching my team hold on to our 2-point lead for the longest 8 seconds of my life.

Q: Does it affect your studies?

A: Over the course of my basketball career, I have joined many teams, often up to four teams at once. This is obviously very time consuming and tiring. At first, it was really tough for me to balance out studying and sports, but as I grew older, I saw the importance of managing my time.

Thankfully, when I was younger, my parents were always very supportive of both basketball and my studies; therefore, they were constantly there to guide me. Now that I am 17 years old, and school does require a lot more dedication and time, I do my very best to stay organized, balance out my schedules, and remain focused when I work.

All in all, playing basketball actually helps me study better, as it teaches me to really stay organized and to be efficient and dedicated to everything that I pursue.

Q: What does sports mean to you?

A: Sports for me are physical activities, which challenge the body’s ability to move and are both enjoyable and good for one’s health. One thing that I really appreciate about basketball specifically is that it has taught me to be committed and dedicated to something.

As I became older, I realized that the intensity that comes with basketball really helps me to breathe and to remain calm through certain tough times in life. Also, all the different challenges that I have faced in basketball have shaped me today and made me a stronger person.

Saeri Suzuki, Grade 10

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Why is it appealing to you?

A: I think my favorite sport is swimming. I started swimming when I was three years old and I have a lot of funny and sad memories. In the water I always feel comfortable and relaxed. The feeling is just like jumping on the moon or floating in space. 

Q: Have you attended any sports clubs in your school? Have you attended any competitions? Any awards?

A: I have been attending swimming club in my school since I was in Grade 7. Before Grade 10, WISS had only a 15-meter swimming pool and it was quite hard for me to practice there. Now I can finally swim in a 25m swimming pool. I would like to express my appreciation to my school director and WISS swimming coaches. I have attended a lot of swimming competitions in different international schools in Shanghai. When I was Grade 7, I got first prize in the breaststroke. I couldn’t believe that I had become one of the fastest breaststroke swimmers in Shanghai, which gave me more confidence to swim and attend swimming meets. 

Q: Any interesting story about sports?

A: When I was little, I took swimming lessons in Japan. One day before going to the swimming lesson, I wore my swimsuit at home. After the lesson, I was surprised to find I had no clothes with me except my swimsuit — I had left all my clothes at home and there was only a towel in my bag! So I had to go back home covered by my towel. Many people were laughing at me.

Q: Does it affect your studies?

A: Swimming has affected my studies a lot. When I was in Japan, I had to swim from 4km to 10km six times a week. It was really a difficult task for a little girl. As the result, I always wanted to give it up and quit all my swimming lessons. However, there were many friends who were also my rivals in the swimming pool, so I always said to myself, “I don’t want to be a loser. I will be stronger if I keep swimming.” I finally made it. To some extent, swimming made me a girl who has guts and hates to lose.

Q: What does sports mean to you?

A: Doing sports is a part of my life and it fills my life with wonderful time. I’m already in Grade 10 and have a lot of work to do everyday. However, when I am doing sports, I can forget anything else and enjoy it with my heart and soul.

Victoria Chiu, Grade 10

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Why is it appealing to you?

A: Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve enjoyed sports. At the age of 5, I started gymnastics and continued it until now, although I don’t go as often as I used to. At the age of six, I also started horseback riding, and swimming and many other sports.

I don’t have any favorite sport, because I feel as though all the sports I play bring me joy and happiness.

Q: Have you attended any sports clubs in your school? Have you attended any competitions? Any awards?

A: When I was younger I joined the swim team, gymnastics, ballet, and track and field in school. I attended many swim competitions, triathlons, biathlons, track and field competitions. I also had many ballet and gymnastic performances. In gymnastics it’s all about perfecting every move. A single misstep can cause you to get off balance.

The year I joined biathlon, I didn’t even know how to swim yet. I was given a float and yet I was able to overcome that and still continue to compete. But the following year, after I learned how to swim and ride a bike, I competed in a triathlon competition and came in first. At that time, it was close to the Beijing Olympics, and my school had these competitions that are just like the Olympics, with the whole podium, medals and flags. It was really great — it allowed me to have more competition experience.

Q: Any interesting story about sports?

A: I went to the Beijing Olympics to watch the athletes compete. They have so much pressure and millions of people watching, yet they are still able to perform well. I also went to the London Olympics to watch the athletes race, giving everything they have, all the training they did to get there. I’m really inspired by how they are able to become such amazing athletes, how much they must have given up to get there. Sometimes I dread going to practice, but in the end I think to myself, if I don’t do it then I won’t get anywhere. All the training I’ve done in the past will be a waste. The more effort you put in, the better the result.

Q: Does it affect your studies?  

A: Being an athlete is quite a challenging thing at times, because you really need to be able to manage your time well and get things done. Also injuries can occur, and it stops you from participating in sports for a while. And when you’re finally healed, you need to start from the beginning and train even harder than the others because now you’re behind. For me, doing sports takes up quite a big chunk of my time, I need to be able to get on top of my homework, while doing sports. But in the end it’s all worth it. I enjoy my sports and I’m able to juggle between sports and classes at Shanghai American School, Puxi campus, especially with my family members encouraging and supporting me all the way. I can’t thank them enough. 

Q: What does sports mean to you?

A: Sport in general is captivating because, whenever I do sports, it takes my mind off other things. I like the interaction between opponents and how I need to react to the other person’s movements and tactics. A friendly competition is always good, it pushes you to your limits.

Bella Bengtsson, Grade 12

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Why is it appealing to you?

A: I actually do love a lot of different sports and to pick my favorite one is hard. In football, I love to be part of a team and part of the wonderful team spirit, but in swimming I love the opposite — to compete against myself and my own times.

Q: Have you attended any sports clubs in your school? Have you attended any competitions? Any awards?

A: I am a member of the HS cross country team, the varsity swim team and the varsity football team. I have attended many swim meets, both in Shanghai and abroad. In football, I have played in a lot of games and attended both SISAC tournament and ACAMIS championship. Next week I am attending my first cross country meet. Last year I was very lucky to win the Coaches Choice Award in swimming. Our football team managed to win it all — SISAC league, SISAC tournament and ACAMIS championship.

Q: Any interesting story about sports?

A: I have been playing football since I was nine years old. At my first game, they asked if anybody wanted to be the goalkeeper and I volunteered. Ever since then I have played goalie. As a matter of fact, last season I scored my first two goals ever.

Q: Does it affect your studies?

A: Sports takes a lot of my time. However, sports are necessary for me to be able to focus on my studies and to reach my future goals.

Q: What does sports mean to you?

A: Sports means a lot to me. It is where I have most of my social life, meet my friends and do my necessary exercise. I must also admit that I am a very competitive person and I enjoy the thrill of a competition.

Evita Wu, Grade 6

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Why is it appealing to you?

A: My favorite sport is golf. It is appealing to me because it is interesting and fun.

Q: Have you attended any sports clubs in your school? Have you attended any competitions? Any awards?

A: There is no sports club in my school. But I have participated in a few competitions. I got first place in 2010 HSBC Golf Champion Cup (Shandong), 2011 HSBC Golf Champion Cup (Ningbo) and 2012 HSBC Golf Champion Cup (Shanghai).

Q: Any interesting story about sports?

A: When I was five years old, I went to a golf summer camp. I was very excited but when I saw the coach, I was very scared. The coach was tall and looked scary to me. I ran and hid in the bathroom. A lady coach found me in the bathroom and told me that she would help me. I followed her out and managed to hit the ball. She became my golf coach for two years. Although she is not my teacher anymore, I still remember her.

Q: Does it affect your studies?

A; Playing golf will not affect my studies because every day after I get home from playing golf, I do my homework and review my studies. If I have a lot of homework, I go home earlier.

Q: What does sports mean to you?

A: Golf is not easy so I have to practice hard. I have to put in effort to play well, but I like it very much.

Dylan D’Souza, Year 11

Q: What’s your favorite sport? Why is it appealing to you?

A: While I find many sports enjoyable, playing basketball is where my heart lies. Basketball is, in my opinion, the only sport that you can spend hours engrossed in by yourself, just shooting around on the court. There is an indescribable joy in watching a ball you shoot find the bottom of the net.

Q: Have you attended any sports clubs in your school? Have you attended any competitions? Any awards?

A: In the time I have spent at YCIS, I have competed in three major sports. During the basketball and volleyball season, we lost only one game combined. Only one game! Both seasons ended successfully with a championship in our hands. The football season, unfortunately, ended with a “bang off the crossbar” in penalties, though the team still did well.

Q: Any interesting story about sports?

A: In last year’s basketball championship game, we were trailing early in the first quarter by seven points. Coach Dylan Bullard called a timeout and we reemphasized our goal from the beginning of the season to go undefeated. We had already beaten this team before; all we had to do was execute the plays and we would be fine. Slowly, we caught back up and gained the lead by the end of the third quarter. We thought victory was assured, but our opponent had one last jolt left as they went on a run to cut the lead down to two with less than half a minute on the clock. Soon after, I was fouled and was standing at the free throw line to seal the championship. I was nervous and could hear all the noise from the crowd, but I trusted all the dedicated practice my team and I had put in. I sank both free throws and we won the game! It was an unbelievable feeling.

Q: What does sports mean to you?

A: From this experience, and in my schooling at YCIS, I have learned that sport is truly a universal language that can bring people from different backgrounds together, which brings even more joy!