A debate speech ‘Talent’ and ‘effort’, which one is more important for sports achievement? (5E Wong Yin Man, Yonnie)

Adjudicators, Principal, Teachers and fellow opponent,

The motion of today is ‘Athletes’ talent is more important than efforts for sport achievements.’ All beforehand, let me define some key terms in this motion. According to the Oxford Dictionary, ‘talent’ means ‘a natural ability to do something well’ and ‘effort’ means’ the physical or mental energy that you need to do something,’ Also, the word ‘achievement’ is defined as a thing that somebody has done successfully, especially using their own effort and skill. I am undeniably against the motion. I think efforts are not less important than athletes’ talent.

 

First of all, ‘practice makes perfect.’ I believe that most of you have heard about this famous quote. It means we can improve ourselves to perform better and better through hard and unceasing practices. With the same principle, in sports, practice can improve our natural talent and skills, if athletes only rely on their natural talents, it will not be enough surely. It will be very hard to compete with the skillful rivals. Consequently, athletes can only get the sports achievements in a very low possibility. For instance, many prestigious athletes like Yao Ming, Lin Chang, they are talented undoubtedly but they also paid many efforts to improve themselves, so that they can get very terrific achievements in many competitions or even Olympic games and NBA.

Secondly, talent may fade without practices. Everyone agrees that practice makes us familiar with something, doesn’t it? So, without regular and adequate practice, athletes may not be as familiar with the sports skills as the athletes who pay hard to preface. On the contrary, athletes who have paid efforts to practice are easier to achieve the success and good results. For example, athlete who is talented in running, however, if he is lack of practices, he will be very difficult and unskillful to have a brilliant performance. In short, efforts are affirmatively important for sports achievements.

 
The affirmative side claims that if a person is not born with talent, it will be hard to get achievements no matter how hard he strives. Nevertheless, the fact is that everyone has his/her own potential talent and efforts can help us to utilize the talent and let the best performance and reach the achievements more easily. Overall speaking, ‘practice makes perfect’ and talent may not work out and fade without practice. Therefore, I am against ‘Athletes’ talent is more important than efforts for sport achievements’. Thank you.