#knowyourbenoni – How Benoni’s Ironman overcame a brain tumour

Despite the challenges he has had to face, Farrarmere resident Kristian Fesel keeps a positive attitude.

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Fesel is one of only eight athletes to complete all 14 consecutive South African Ironman triathlons.

Three years ago he had major brain surgery to remove a tumour.

Fesel spoke to the City Times about how his fitness saved his life and why he remains positive.

BCT: Tell us about how you came to Benoni.

KF: I was born in Manchester in the UK.

At a young age my father, Arthur Fesel, moved to South Africa for work.

I attended Dinwiddie Primary School and Boksburg High School.

After school, I joined the army and spent one year in the air force in Pretoria.

I moved to Benoni about nine years ago and have loved every moment here.

I now work at Woodlands International College.

BCT: Tell us about your family.

KF: My wife’s name is Renate and we’ve been married for almost 13 years.

We have a daughter, Madison (10) and a son, Aiden (8).

BCT: You compete in Ironman triathlons. What is it like?

KF: I have done all the Ironman triathlons since the sport came to South Africa in 2004.

I train year-round, though a little less during winter months.

Ironman is a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle ride and a 42km marathon.

I just completed the last one on April 14.

I am doing the Ironman half-triathlon in Durban in August.

I have been to the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii and the Ironman Half-Wold Championships in Australia before.

BCT: You had a tumour removed three years ago. How did this impact your fitness?

KF: I had a light stroke and my wife phoned an ambulance.

I had a brain tumour the size of a snooker ball.

A neurosurgeon removed the tumour. I spent one day in ICU and one day in a general ward before I went home.

Twelve weeks after that I completed an Ironman triathlon.

BCT: How has your fitness helped you through this?

KF: The doctor said my strength and health helped me make a full recovery.

I don’t know what would’ve happened if I had been a couch potato.

I keep a positive attitude in life.

I have beers with friends, eat a balanced diet and enjoy what I do.

I think there is more to life than eating salad and drinking protein shakes.

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