Defeating A Proven Champion

DEFEATING A PROVEN CHAMPION is never easy. Not only must you mentally convince yourself that you can win, but you must also perform flawlessly physically. In the 2001 World Track and Field Championships, the Ukraine’s Zhanna Pintusevich-Block did all of those things in the 100 meters.

The field of sprinters included American Marion Jones, who had accumulated a string of 42 consecutive victories. The world’s top 100-meter runner had not lost since her final race in 1997 when Jamaica’s Merlene Otley bolted past her in Japan.

In the 1997 World Championships, the Ukrainian runner battled the former University of North Carolina track star to the wire. Pintusevich-Block and Jones finished neck and neck in the 100 meters, and the native of the small village of Nezhin celebrated at the conclusion thinking she had won. But moments later, the scoreboard posted times, and Jones edged her opponent by .02 seconds.

Pintusevich-Block again proved to be Jones’ best competition in the 2001 World Championship. In the semifinal heat, she nipped Jones at the tape by .01 seconds. Then she made it two victories in a row over the 2000 Olympic gold medalist. In the championship race, the 29-year-old Ukrainian never let Jones pull ahead. Running side-by-side, Zhanna lunged forward at the tape and recorded a 10.82, .03 seconds better than her previous personal best.

Marion, who collected the silver medal with a 10.85 timing, exhibited great respect following her defeat, hugging her rival and saluting her determination. Greece’s Ekaterini Thanou finished third at 10.91.

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POINT Many sprinters would have conceded the gold to Marion Jones and strived for silver, but not Zhanna Pintusevich-Block. Her mother raised her alone and in poverty. Nothing seemed too hard for her after her childhood. She wanted to rule the 100 meters, and she did.

Many of us shy away from difficult challenges, fearing they’re too hard. We choose sports that we already play well. We take easy classes in school. We try for cushy jobs.

But that’s not God’s way. He’s the Lord of all. Nothing proves too hard for our heavenly Father. And we should work to follow his lead.

GOAL! Think of things you haven’t tackled because you think they’re too hard.