SADOS.

Season is finally over. And I recall so many times during training or as I stayed up late to do cases or complete homework because training ended at 9pm, that I just couldn't wait for season to end so that I could sleep more and be less stressed. But now that it's over I feel so empty. 

We may not have won the title of MIDCs 2013 champions, but we won the respect of others. And to quote a great great man, "greatness is not measured in the form of titles - though that may help - but in the form of respect you gain from your fiercest adversaries." That we did guys, that we definitely did. We went from gaining looks of pity when we went against the world schools team, to winning teams like RJ, CJ, Nanyang and even ACJC. We even came so close to winning Hwa Chong, giving them an actual fight for the win. Never would I have ever seen myself being able to do those things and actually gaining looks of respect as my opponents shook my hands after a match. 

I've learnt so much from my amazing coach, and especially the 6 people that I can call both my team mates and friends. I wouldn't have ever thought that I'd get close to some of them but I guess that's what happens when you spend weekends after weekends and night after night together working hard and being close to death. We were set a challenge and it was pretty cool that we got to conquer it. Im so proud of us and what we've done. It isn't about what titles we won but what we ourselves managed to overcome. 

Debate, although not seen as "cool" by many people, truly is a sport and has taught me so much. I've learnt to deal with winning and losing and especially how hard work can get you almost anything that you want. I may have nearly killed myself especially over the last 3 months, but I don't regret a single minute of it. 

Thank you SA debating and oratorical society, because I think I would be so different without all of you.