I would not consider myself an athlete, but when there were so few male teachers in the English department, I had to bite the bullet and join the interdepartmental relay race.

On race day, I swallowed the lump in my throat as I glanced at my opponents. My colleagues from other departments all looked like they could run better than I could. I told myself to give it my best shot and not care about victory or defeat.

The referee blew the whistle, and the spectators cheered wildly. I watched as my teammates sprinted as fast as cheetahs. My heart soared like a bird. We might just win this.

My legs sprang into action as I received the baton. I dashed towards the finishing line. I managed to defend the English department’s honour. We had emerged as champions! I soaked in my students’ compliments as they called me “Tuff Sportsman.”