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University
30 November 2022

UMP SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR’S RACE TO SUCCESS

Gule, who hails from Piet Retief, is working towards becoming SA’s number one athlete, and his hard work paid off when his outstanding performance saw him being selected to represent Athletics Mpumalanga at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Championships, recently held in Rustenburg, North-West.

“My motivation is seeing my role model Eliud Kipchoge breaking records respectively and I look up to my couch Bonginkosi Mavuso who is making strides, he came ninth in the Cape Town Marathon this year. One other thing that inspires me to work even harder is seeing other young athletes from our country breaking records.”

Gule was also awarded sportsman of the year at the University of Mpumalanga Co-curricular awards, held at the Mbombela Campus. His dedication has been rewarded.

He says, “Words cannot describe how extremely excited I am having been given this prestigious award. I was working very hard to be the best. I feel grateful for being recognised by the institution.”

The making of a star

Gule has a strict routine. “I wake up at 5am to train before I go to class. I train almost every day regardless of the weather. I usually run 15 to 20 km in the morning, and in the afternoon I do speed running. Monday I do 400m x 55, Tuesday 200m x 20, Wednesday I do tempo run, Thursday I do hill work, then Friday is my rest day. And on weekends in the morning, I do 5km and in the afternoon I do 25 to 30km,” he continues.

“I avoid alcohol and smoking because it might destroy my dreams. Before a competition I make sure I eat light food to sustain and give me energy and avoid heavy meals and oily food. Athletics requires one to be very disciplined.”

UMPGule was crowned UMP 2022 Sportsman of the year.  

His love for running was inspired by watching the Comrades Marathon as a child. “When I was young, I loved watching the Comrades at home with my older siblings, but I was not able to train because I was young and very shy to approach the runners in my hometown.”

Gule finally got an opportunity during one June 16 event at his hometown stadium, where he and a group of friends went to the stadium to play soccer and then decided to join the 5km fun run race alongside professional athletes such as Sibusiso Kubheka.

“That was my first attempt in running. I came third and the position came with a cash prize of R250. After winning, the group of professional runners asked that I join their club, and with that encouragement and support, I became the youngest runner in the training group,” he adds.

Sports and Recreation Officer Mbombela Campus Mr Hendry Matonsi said, "Gule is a very passionate and pushes himself beyond limits. He is driven and focused. He has a good character, he is humble, respectful and patient."

For Gule being crowned the sportsman of the year award is one of the greatest achievements in his life thus far.

“It is motivation for me and my career in running. It means I must keep working hard and there are more possibilities to come. Sports is all about love, discipline, and commitment for me.”


@ Story Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.