1996 World Junior Championship in Athletics, Sydney, Australia

Who wants to be a hero? Just for one day? I am nothing special and not anything like others. I choose not to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon if I can. I fought at my age of 19 years old far away from home in Australia in a discipline named decathlon. It consists of 10 track and field events in two competition days. I was unaware how significant this competition would become. It was my last one. Only now I know what it means to carry the country’s flag at the opening ceremony. I was the best. Only now I know I was competing mostly in the pursuit to full-fill my father’s wishes. Now I compete for myself. Day after day, every day, till the last day. I am my own hero.