Words that resonate in athletes’ hearts! A collection of short yet brilliant quotes

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

Have you ever had the experience where, right before a game or during practice, a sports star’s quote suddenly comes to mind and, almost magically, fills you with strength? Sometimes a short line hits deeper than a long speech.

Words born from the joy of victory, the sting of defeat, and the moments of pushing past your limits carry a power that transcends sports and helps you move forward in everyday life.

In this article, we’ll introduce brief, resonant quotes from athletes.

You’re sure to find a single phrase that gently gives you a push.

Words that resonate in the hearts of athletes! A collection of short but shining quotes (11–20)

Don’t rush, don’t panic, don’t give up. Precisely because of all you’ve built upNEW!Sara Takanashi

It’s a famous quote that teaches us the importance of an unwavering spirit and steadily putting in the hard work especially when times are tough.

These are the words of ski jumper Sara Takanashi, spoken when she finally won at a Nordic Ski World Cup after a season of struggles without many victories.

When our efforts don’t seem to pay off, anyone can feel anxious—but it may be precisely then that it’s vital to keep moving forward, step by step, along the path you believe in.

When things aren’t going well and you feel lost, remember this quote.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

The only way to reach an extraordinary place is by steadily piling up small efforts.NEW!Ichiro

Ichiro Suzuki—known simply as Ichiro—excelled in both Japanese and American baseball and became the first Asian inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

These words, so characteristic of a man universally recognized for his dedication, may serve as a source of strength for those who are struggling to see results or feel they’ve lost their way.

We strive for our goals and dreams, but the small efforts we make each day—especially when the finish line is out of sight—can sometimes feel burdensome.

Yet he reminds us that it is precisely these small efforts that pave the way to achieving great goals.

Let’s keep these words close to heart and do our best to never neglect our efforts in anything we do!

Raise the rankinglower

SAKI

Report a problem

You should have more faith in your talents and what you’ve done.NEW!Ichiro

It teaches us the importance of not underestimating ourselves and having confidence in the effort we’ve built up.

The more things don’t go well, the more we tend to think, “Maybe I can’t do it,” but the time we’ve spent working hard has never been wasted.

For example, even when results don’t come in a sport you’ve practiced for years, believing in the effort you’ve made and continuing on can turn into strength.

In studying as well, those who have kept at it steadily are the ones who can demonstrate their abilities when it counts.

These words convey that believing in yourself becomes the foundation that supports your next step.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

Talent alone is not enough to become great. It takes hard work and dedication. If you’re not prepared to sacrifice something, you won’t gain anything.NEW!Kobe Bryant

It means that to achieve truly big goals, what matters is not just your natural talent but also daily effort and strong determination.

For example, even if you’re good at basketball, your progress will stop if you skip practice, right? You might cut back a little on time with friends to focus on training, and even when you’re tired, you don’t let yourself slack off.

That kind of effort and resolve is what helps your abilities grow.

It’s the same when it comes to studying or pursuing your dreams.

It gently teaches us that behind success lie unseen efforts and firm resolve.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

What I want to tell people around the world is to make an effort. If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.NEW!Cindy Ngamba

Here are some words I want to share with those striving toward their dreams and goals.

They come from Cindy Ngamba, the women’s 75 kg boxer.

Cindy Ngamba won a brilliant bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first medalist from the Refugee Olympic Team.

“What I want to tell people around the world is to work hard.

If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.” These words apply not only to sports but to everything in our daily lives.

From her message, you can feel her strong will and the grueling effort she puts in day after day—a powerful quote that pushes forward everyone who strives.

Raise the rankinglower

moko

Report a problem

A champion is defined not by how they act when they win, but by how they rise after they lose.NEW!Serena Williams

It means that true strength appears in how you act after a loss.

Anyone can celebrate when they win.

But it’s precisely when you’re frustrated by defeat and feel like your spirit might break that your real strength is tested.

For example, if you lose a game by a wide margin, the true champion isn’t the one who says, “I can’t do this anymore” and gives up, but the one who looks forward and keeps working, saying, “I’ll practice more for next time.” The same is true when you don’t get the test score you hoped for.

It gently teaches us that failure isn’t the end, but a chance to grow.

The courage to stand back up after losing is what leads to future victory.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

Words that resonate with athletes’ hearts! A collection of short yet shining quotes (21–30)

What matters is not practice, but the passion for practice.NEW!Pelé

Which is better: practicing just because you’re vaguely told to, or practicing hard with a clear goal in mind? Pelé, called the King of Soccer and admired by players and fans around the world—he captivated so many people precisely because, true to these words, he kept practicing tirelessly with passion, scored countless goals, and became a beloved figure worldwide.

Spending time on practice is sometimes important, but even more important, he teaches us, is approaching practice with your heart fully invested and your soul in it.

Raise the rankinglower

SAKI

Report a problem