Description
Why have some nations been at the top of the Olympics medal tally for
decades? Why is it that India is still to win an Olympic athletics medal? What
does it take to become a Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic, a Muhammad Ali
or Viswanathan Anand? Why do we see black sportspersons dominating certain
sports but not others?
Sport is full of many such intriguing, largely unanswered questions. This
book trawls through history and sports science to come up with some
fascinating answers. It helps us understand why, for instance, the top three
in men's tennis have won over 50 Grand Slams between them, and why
some excellent sportspersons or teams end up losing even when they are on
the verge of victory. In ten chapters, Binoo John looks at the early role of
parental ambition; Anders Ericson's famous theory on human achievement
and excellence; the important role of national wealth and aspiration; and the
critical role of a burning desire to win. Along the way, he also shoots down
some popular and accepted notions of sporting excellence.
A grand sweep of modern sporting history and the making of champions, Top
Game is a great read-not only for every sports enthusiast and sportsperson,
but also for anyone interested in the mystery, the glory-and also the
tragedy-of human endeavour.
