Black Olympic Athletes Reveal What Brings Them Joy
Black Olympic Athletes Reveal What Brings Them Joy, and It's Not Always a Gold Medal
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POPSUGAR: What brings you joy?
Naya Tapper: Being around my family and friends back home brings me joy. There is something special about being around people who love you dearly and make you comfortable. I can be 100 percent myself around them. It's very liberating. They all are also a ball of fun and so entertaining to be around. A house full of laughter and love. It doesn't get more joyful than that.
PS: What was the happiest moment of your athletic career?
NT: The happiest moment of my athletic career was winning player of the final and scoring nine tries at the Sydney 7s tournament in 2017. I felt like I earned my right from my coaches and teammates to be on the team that tournament. I proved myself after a hard first year and made my stamp in international rugby. It was the start of my legacy. I've been working to be unstoppable ever since in everything I do on and off the pitch.
PS: What is your happiest memory outside of your athletic achievements?
NT: The happiest memory outside of my athletic achievements was graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. It's a really good school, so I was very proud of myself for not only being accepted there but also graduating in a good place! My family and friends were able to be there, which I was very happy and proud about. I also had big plans set up for after graduation, so life was great in that moment!