Blackswrugby: How long have you been playing rugby / for Blacks?
Azurah: Tried rugby out in 2002 & I broke my leg during my first game -____- , not sure whether it counts but yeah I stopped for a few years to learn how to walk again during rehabilitation. One night at Bugis, I was blessed to have bumped into Jane & the rest is history.
Blackswrugby: How do you get so strong?
Azurah: I've got Yoda on my side!! \m/ Strength is very subjective and I feel that it compromises of outer and inner strength. Outer strength I would say partly comes from having to lift my fellow jumpers & trying to "gracefully" contest in a scrum. When you've got someone's ASS(not sure whether I can use the word ASS) on the line(literally!) & having to channel the power in a scrum you've got to strive to be stronger. Which means hitting the gym & doing whatever you need to improve. Which there's still room for me to improve on! A wise man once said "With great power, comes great responsibility". In this case it applies both ways.
To add, Yoda's wisdom taught us all that we can never under estimate one's inner strength. We've seen smaller players who are stronger than bigger players, where does it all come from?? It's their inner strength I tell you!!
Blackswrugby: Besides rugby, do you compete in other sports?
Azurah: Is this a trick question?? Where do I find the time to?? haha.. I do compete in teeny weeny non-rugby tournaments here & there when time allows me to. Also I secretly(well not a secret anymore) hope I could pick up MMA/Crossfit(super amazed by the strength & flexibility, which requires different set skill & focus compared to rugby) when the time comes? Maybe? Who knows what the future brings.
Blackswrugby: What is the one thing you must do / must have when before coming for trainings? (Studded boots not included)
Azurah: I'm assuming I'll be all packed and dressed for training so plugging in to my tunes is a must!!
Blackswrugby: Are there moments when you feel like giving up this sport altogether? If there are, what keeps you coming back for more?
Azurah: I'd be lying if I said No especially after(for me) my worst injury ever when I fractured my eye socket in 2 places, recovering from that was the hardest not knowing if my vision would heal back to normal & all that uncertainty just bugs you. I was blessed that I had a strong support system & eventually I pulled through it!
The adrenaline for one, the challenge of the sport physically & mentally. Also knowing I've still got some things that I'd like to do. I still have the capacity to learn from my team-mates & other players regardless of seniority.
Blackswrugby: Is there a rugby hero in your life? (Someone whom you look up to for inspiration)
Azurah: Gosh! Rugby hero?? ..hmmmm I've got superheroes, does that count?? haha..
To be honest the seniors before me that started the club & introduced rugby with their blood, sweat & tears. Every single one of them, their determination & fighting spirit including those who weren't from Blacks without them we wouldn't be so blessed with the opportunities we have today. For that I thank them all!
Blackswrugby: We've tasted some of your own cooked food; how is it always so delicious! (It is mandatory to share your secrets!)
Azurah: Haha! So sweet of you guys! I'm sure they're not always so delicious! No secrets lah only MADE WITH LOVE ;)
Blackswrugby: Since we're about food, does Rugby has an effect on any of your eating habits or stuff that you want to cook?
Azurah: Yes & No I guess. In fact playing rugby has taught me to understand more about the food we need to fuel our body & knowing the ingredients we cook with is always better. When I eat junk stuff I'm hoping that I'll burn it off during trainings..haha
Blackswrugby: If you can describe Rugby in one word, what is it?
Azurah: Maverick (because it sounds way cooler than Unorthodox!)
Blackswrugby: Any words of wisdom for the juniors in the club?
Azurah: You'll never know when your good or bad days will come but what you can do is to treat the field like an experiment during practice. It can go either way, you'll be screamed at or not. You'll never know unless you give it a shot. Whether it's a chip & chase, backflip passes, kicks or whatever. Just go for it! We only learn from the mistakes we make, improve on them & excel by challenging ourselves to do something out of the box. I'm not saying go all crazy & stuff, practise beforehand because after all it's a team sport, you wouldn't want your team-mates kicking you off the team! We're all different and contribute in different ways, why not explore those possibilities? Why not?
"May the force be with you"
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