On Wednesday, February 23 at the inter-school athletic competition where all the local high schools competed, this star athlete’s determination and discipline paid off, coming first in no less than three events. In high jump he cleared 1.7m (his personal best is actually 1.85m), he ran the 100m sprint in 11.4 seconds and the 200m in 24.6 seconds. On Saturday, February 26 he came third in the 100m race at the SWD Championships in Oudtshoorn, but due to a problem with registration he could not compete in the 200m or high jump events.
"I’m a huge fan of South African high jumper Hestrie Cloete and of the American Usain Bolt, who holds the world record for the 100m in 9.5 seconds - just shows you how far behind I am!" he grins.
Beckett says no one ever asks him about the emotional side of preparing for athletics, but admits that it actually plays a pivotal part in getting the right mental attitude to stay motivated.
"Sometimes, if it’s during the holidays, it’s pretty hard to motivate yourself, but once I get into it, it’s okay. I actually like practicing by myself, because if there are friends around I don’t work as hard as I should," he admits candidly. Beckett usually already starts training in November for the schools’ athletic season, which only starts in February of each year.
"It can be very strenuous. Also my diet; this season I brought my weight down from 73kg to 68kg, and it is not easy to say no to that piece of cake, I can tell you that much!" he laughs. He also makes sure to drink several litres of water per day.
"I have had various coaches over the years and I try to put everything I have learned into practice. I also research the training methods of athletes that made it to the Olympics."
Becketts says he realises that his athletic ability is a gift from God. "I often think what it would have been like to have been handicapped or to be in an accident where you lose your legs - I don’t ever want to take anything for granted."
With the exception of one year, in Grade 10, Beckett has made it to the South Western District (SWD) Athletics Competition since Grade 6. He says he remembers being the shortest of all the competitors and feeling completely overwhelmed whilst competing in Germiston.
"Sometimes you need to first experience losing before you can fully appreciate victory. A loser who has the guts to go back and try again and again eventually becomes a winner, whether he attains first place or not. It becomes a state of being: not ever giving up. I always tell myself failure is not fatal; it’s how I handle it that counts."
If all goes according to plan, Beckett wants to study clinical psychology at the the University of the Western Cape next year. He says he wants to help people and give guidance, not advice.
And with a winning attitude combined with a gentle nature, his proud parents, John and Miranda Marcus, are certain their son will make a success of whatever he puts his mind to.
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Brandon Beckett in action!
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK
