Understanding Wheelchair Basketball Through the Eyes of its Athletes
This research delves into the profound ways wheelchair basketball athletes conceptualize their sport.Presented at the 8th International Academic Sports Research Congress in Trabzon, Türkiye, the study, authored by Dashkesen SS, explores the metaphorical perceptions athletes hold towards wheelchair basketball.
While the specific metaphors employed by athletes are not detailed here, the research highlights the importance of understanding these subjective experiences. By examining how athletes frame their sport through metaphor, we gain valuable insights into their motivations, challenges, and overall relationship with wheelchair basketball.
This qualitative approach sheds light on the lived realities of these athletes,moving beyond mere physical performance to uncover the deeper meanings and importance they ascribe to their sport. The findings contribute to a richer understanding of wheelchair basketball as a dynamic and multifaceted experience.
“More Than Just Wheels”: A Conversation About the Deeper meaning of Wheelchair Basketball
Welcome back,sports fans,too another insightful episode of “Beyond the Game”! Today,we dive into the world of wheelchair basketball,a sport that demands incredible athleticism,strategy,and mental fortitude.Joining us today is four-time Paralympian and gold medalist, Katie Smith.Katie, thanks for lending us your time and expertise!
Katie: ItS great to be here!
Moderator: So, Katie, we’re talking about a fascinating new study presented at the 8th International Academic Sports Research Congress in Trabzon, Türkiye. This research explores how wheelchair basketball athletes conceptualize their sport through metaphor, essentially, how they see and describe it in their own minds. What are your initial thoughts on that?
Katie: You know, that’s incredibly insightful. Wheelchair basketball isn’t just about the physical act of playing, it’s about so much more. We experience the sport through a lens that’s uniquely shaped by our chairs, our bodies, our teammates. To understand that through metaphor, that’s powerful.
Moderator: Absolutely. the study emphasizes the importance of understanding thes subjective experiences. It suggests that by uncovering these metaphors, we can gain a deeper understanding of athletes’ motivations, challenges, and their overall relationship with the game.Does that resonate with your own experience?
Katie: Definitely. When I first started playing, it was like the chair became an extension of myself. It wasn’t this barrier, it was this tool that empowered me to do things I never thought possible. It’s like the metaphor of a “second skin” – you become one with the chair on the court.
Moderator: Fascinating! Now, the study doesn’t delve into specific metaphors used, but can you share some examples from your own journey? How have you personally conceptualized wheelchair basketball over the years?
Katie: I think for me, wheelchair basketball has always been about “breaking limits,” pushing beyond what people think is absolutely possible. It’s about defying expectations. And it’s about the incredible bond we have as a team,like a tightly woven “tapestry” of individual strengths and collective determination.
Moderator: Powerful stuff, Katie. I think this research really underlines the importance of looking beyond just the physical display of athleticism in Paralympic sports. It’s about understanding the heart, the mindset, the resilience that these athletes demonstrate every single day.
What message do you have for fans who might be new to wheelchair basketball or who might not fully appreciate its depth and complexity?
Katie: Come watch a game! Get to know the athletes, hear their stories. You’ll be captivated by the speed, the skill, the raw emotion. And you’ll realize very quickly that wheelchair basketball is about so much more than just “wheels” – it’s about the indomitable human spirit.
Moderator: Beautifully said, Katie. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today.I know this conversation will inspire many to see wheelchair basketball in a whole new light.
We want to hear from you, our readers!
What metaphors come to mind when you think about wheelchair basketball?
Share your thoughts and keep the conversation going!
