adminDESTROYER. That is the translation of Gideon Benade’s first name. The name has its origins in Hebrew and also means “hewer”.
However, it could have easily meant humble, outrageously talented, dedicated and hardworking because Gideon Benade is all that and then some.
Today the 19-year-old stands on the cusp of greatness, having finally made his debut appearance at the Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU Sprint Triathlon African Cup last weekend.
There, Benade finished 12th in a highly competitive field of 15 triathletes and reckons the experience was an eye-opener.
“It was very tough, those guys are very fast,” said Benade of the competition he faced last weekend.
“Being my first time, my main objective was to learn as much as possible and enjoy the moment. I succeeded in both,” he said.
By merely participating in the race, the former Peterhouse High pupil broke a six-year wait for Zimbabwean representation, this following the retirement of Chris Felgate in 2012.
“I certainly have big shoes to fill as Chris is someone I look up to. He was very consistent in the race, often finishing in the top three, and based on my performance this year I am still a long way out.
“The elite category is not something to play with, and I have a lot of training to do before I can match up to his standards.
For now, its back to the basics and that means more time in the pool and more time on the track and on the bike.
Hopefully in a year or two, I will be ready and start finishing in the top tier,” he said.
Benade lives by the mantra eat-sleep-train-repeat.
He spends roughly 36 hours training every week. “. . . my day starts as early 5am, where I spend roughly an hour 30 minutes in the water working on my stroke play and endurance.
By 10, in the morning, I return home to recharge my batteries and rest, after which I go for my afternoon cycling workout.
“I cycle for 200-300km before rounding it up with an evening run which can take either two hours or cover 60-70km.
“That is basically my life six days a week, as Saturday is usually my rest day which I dedicate to my family or girlfriend and other engagements,” he said.
His mother, Tammy, calls her eldest son the “natural athlete” of the family.
“We have always known that Gideon was very talented as he was quite the rugby player when he was younger.
He made the Under-13 Craven Week side and under the advice of his godmother took up triathlon as a way to help him stay fit.
“Fortunately, he fell in love with (triathlon) during our trips to Troutbeck and that was to be the last time he held a rugby ball,” said Tammy Benade.
Benade’s siblings Bruce and Michael are into rugby and fishing with the latter holding the distinction as being the only person to hold fishing colours at Peterhouse Boys’ School.
Benade was also an accomplished runner in high school.
“I think every sport I play today has its origins in athletics, for I love running and was pretty good at it.
I played flank during my rugby days and that position usually required me to run a lot to retrieve the ball.
Running is a big part of triathlon and plays a huge part of my training,” he said.
Benade has set his sights on Tokyo Olympics in 2020. “That is the plan,” said Benade. “I hope to participate in as many international races as possible, from here onwards and earn enough points so that I will be eligible to take part in the next Olympics.”
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter