Pain and passion

IN this column a couple of weeks ago I described how cruel and fickle sport can be.
Noosa’s Pat Rafter was still at the top of his game with his continued involvement with the sport he loves – tennis.
Then former world triathlon champion Jackie Fairweather finally threw in the towel after years of depression to take her own life. This is a woman who feared no-one in the triathlon world and never shied away from a new challenge. Her duel with fellow Aussies Emma Carney and Loretta Harrop just kept the rest of the world sitting back watching in awe. She excelled in the academic world through the sports science arena and, like Pat, was putting her all back in to the sport she loved.
Then last week, out of the blue, we had a tragic accident, with cricketer Phillip Hughes cut down in his prime.
His death galvanised the cricketing world – supporting his family, friends and team-mates on what can only be described as a bad day in the world of sport.
The sport will continue and so will the bouncer, even though some may call for its dismissal.
The First Test is off, but the series against India will resume as Phil would have wanted it to.
New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott is not the culprit, he is the victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
His life has changed and sadly he must live with this accident forever, sport again showing how fickle it can be.
Allow me to reminisce, in 1978-’79 my boxing pathway directed to Reg Layton’s gym in Brisbane’s Woolongabba.
My training and sparring partner was the great Hector Thompson, the Australian welterweight champion who had fought and lost at his crack at two world titles.
No disgrace here, his opponents Ruben Olivares and Antonio Cervantes were considered among the world’s best.
Hector came from very humble beginnings in Newcastle as he clawed his way to the top of the boxing world.
During this time, he sadly defeated two fighters who passed away after the battle in the ring.
Sure this dinky-dye Aussie was shattered on both occasions, but it was sport.
No-one could forecast the outcome, it just happened with no malice intended.
Hector helped me and many others, and for years after dominating Festival Hall he would always give his time to help kids in gyms in and around Brisbane.
I can assure you that never once during his glittering career when Hector stepped into the ring did he want to win by breaking the rules of the game.
Sport has highs and lows, and I got the chance to celebrate our best at this year’s Sports Star of the Year Awards in Brisbane.
It was a truly wonderful night and a great way for all to look back over 2014 with performances on and off the track.
While not winning, Cooroy’s Sue Stanley and the Sunshine Beach under-17 surf team were finalists in the categories.
A marvellous night with the highlight the induction of Maryborough’s dual Olympic champion David Theile AO into the legends.
Until next time.