SPORTS
Having lost 45 kilos in a year, the 2004 Athens Olympics gold medal winning Australian swimmer, Geoff Huegill, completed one of the most remarkable comebacks sports has seen.
He hit a whopping 138 kilos after retiring from swimming in 2004; ate his way around the world as a backpacker before he settled into a lifestyle of pizzas, pies, beer, more beer and endless partying.
Having lost 45 kilos in a year, the 2004 Athens Olympics gold medal winning Australian swimmer, Geoff Huegill, completed one of the most remarkable comebacks sports has seen.
Written off by his fellow swimmers, critics and himself, Huegill welcomed the weight of a Commonwealth Games gold medal on his chest, after winning the 100m butterfly event. As dramatic as the race was, Huegill’s story is even more captivating.
He retired after the Athens Games and his weight ballooned. After four years of partying and eating junk, he decided to return to competitive swimming last year, with the Delhi Games being his sole focus.
“I just ate and ate and ate. Did nothing. Then I thought, what’s the point living a life that way. Only thing I knew well was swimming, so I decided to comeback,” said the 31-year-old swimmer.
But the challenge that stared him in the face was enormous. He had to get back to shape, quickly. The fact that he lost 45kg might suggest he lived a Spartan life. But he didn’t. He led a balanced life and cut out the excesses.
“People think I stopped eating potato chips and stuff like that but I didn’t,” he said. “I just stopped eating the whole packet. I made sure the packet lasted me for a few days and not five minutes. I was also conscious of the size of the plates I used at the dinner table. With bigger plates there was always a tendency to eat more.
“Another thing you have to remember is not to be too hard on yourself. Don’t expect to be perfect at it. There will be days when it does not go well. It is also important to be realistic about your goals,” he said, stressing that there is no point starving. “And of course, you have to exercise.”
Fit again, he couldn’t wait to hit the pools of the SP Mukherjee Swimming Complex. “There was a lot of talk about folks pulling out, falling ill and stuff. But I wasn’t thinking about all that. My sole aim was to win the gold,” he said.
His motto in life is to believe in himself, and trust his abilities.
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral
World Diabetes Day 2024: Types, causes, precaution to avoid this chronic disease
Children's Day 2024: 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes to share on bal diwas
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st T20I live in India?