This artwork represents cardiac muscle tissue, the specialized muscle found in the heart. Even though I’m not an athlete, during the intramurals I was able to play badminton. Playing badminton made my heart race with excitement and effort, pumping faster to supply oxygen and energy throughout my body. In that moment, my cardiac muscle was working harder than ever, performing rhythmic contractions that pumped blood efficiently throughout the body, which was essential for sustaining energy and coordination during the game.

The drawing highlights the branching fibers, which allow cells to connect and transmit contractions efficiently; uninucleated, centrally located nuclei, which control cell activity; striations, formed by the organized arrangement of contractile proteins actin and myosin for strong, rhythmic contraction; and intercalated discs, which enable coordinated communication between cells for synchronized pumping. The shuttlecock design symbolizes not only the sport and a specific moment from my intramurals participation, but also how my heart was fully engaged in the game, reflecting both physical exertion and the joy of taking part, where my heart truly plays.