SPORTS
Student Politician Loves Spandex
W
e have reached Issue 24 of Critic for the year. That means only three more to go, and it’s fair to say that the well of relevant local sports stories has run a little dry. With that in mind, I made the short trip across the hall from the Critic office to ask
OUSA Exec board member Angus McDonald some arbitrary questions about triathlon. He’s a legitimate athlete, I swear. He has competed at age-grade world championships with good results, and if he can stay healthy he’s got plans to do some big international races in the next few years. Most importantly, he was available to answer mundane questions at short notice. Enjoy.
Tell us about how you got into triathlons. I was a 73 kg, 5’3” overweight rugby player from Gore. I thought, “I’m fat as fuck, I better lose some weight so I can be in the cool group and
whole Number 8 Wire mentality. I find that New Zealand seems to create a lot of great triathletes because we love to rise to a challenge. Triathlon is such a dynamic sport; it really suits our athletes.
fit through regular-sized doors.” The very next day, I laced up my Nike Airs from Front Runner Dunedin and got my pudgy ass round the block. I became infatuated with fitness. Then a few coaches from home got me in the pool and out on the bike. From there it was a natural progression, and I never looked back.
What kind of structure is there for young triathletes who want to do well, how does triathlon NZ help people out? There is a high performance tier system, which allows athletes to enter a selection process from a young age if they meet certain requirements.
What big races have you competed in, and how did you do?
Then athletes can progress through the system, which means better funding, coaching, and opportunities to race within NZ and internationally.
World Championships in 2009 on the Gold Coast was probably the highlight. I came 13th. I also raced for Team Cycle World in the New Zealand Road Cycling Series. I had to take a 16-month break from early 2010 after
What have you got coming up? Triathlon World Champs in October in Auckland, the first time it has
sustaining a knee injury, so it’s really good to be back racing.
been held there.
Are the only two available pastimes in Gore boy racer and triathlete?
Got any long-term goals in triathlon? I personally need to ramp up the swimming so I can be more com-
Yes. Without a doubt that is all you can do. A fellow triathlete named
petitive at elite level. I possibly need to take time off just to be a swimmer.
Aaron Barclay who is a Youth Olympic Champion and an avid boy racer
That is a two-year plan. I want to compete at the World Champs next year
has actually achieved well in both.
in London and reassess from there.
Which discipline is your favourite, and why?
I read on the ODT website (I Googled you) that your main inspiration is Lance Armstrong. Still the case?
It would have to be cycling. Being surrounded by other men and women in Lycra just really excites me. It’s the same reason Logan Edgar does it.
A lot has changed in the last five years… but in saying that, he still has done a hell of a lot in terms of the fight against cancer with his LiveStrong foundation. I find that pretty inspirational. But it looks like he may have
Do you have much time for training these days? What kind of time do you put into it each week? Yeah, when I’m not debilitated by injury. My Coach/Life Coach Rob
popped more pills then Keith Richards.
Who is the next big thing in triathlon?
Creasy has me swimming for 1 – 2 hours most mornings, cycling 8 – 12
Mike Peree. He’s a fresher from Cumberland College who I had the
hours plus a race most weekends, 3 – 6 hours running plus maybe a gym
pleasure of meeting this year. I heard a rumor he is the heartthrob of the
or bikram yoga session in there too.
first-year population of Dunedin. The two big guns you will be seeing at the next Olympics will be Ryan Sissons and Tony Dodds.
New Zealand seems to produce a lot of good triathletes who compete internationally. Why do you think that is? New Zealanders have the great ability to adapt to new challenges – the
If you think you’re doing something good in sports and you’re a student, get in touch with me. You could easily be on these pages within the week.
Sports Editor | Gus Gawn | gus.gawn@critic.co.nz
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