A B2-level short story for you today...

A True Champion

Sofia had always dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player. She trained every morning, even when she was tired, because she knew success would depend on her hard work. Some people tried to discourage her from doing so much training, saying she was wasting her time, but Sofia refused to listen.

Her first big tournament didn’t go well. She suffered a terrible defeat, and her confidence began to decline. Deep down, she felt that maybe everyone had been right. For a moment, she even hesitated to enter the next competition.

However, her coach reminded her that real champions never give up. He said that despite the fact she had lost she had learned something important. Sofia realised he was right. She returned to the court, determined to demonstrate her true ability.

In the final match, her opponent tried to deceive her with tricky shots, but Sofia stayed calm and focussed. This time, she won.

When she lifted the trophy, she smiled – not because of the victory, but because she had proved to herself that determination and a belief in yourself are stronger than fear.

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