Amidst Covid-19, Under Armour athletes shared their unique challenges and triumphs at a star-studded event in Cape Town recently.
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Designed to reflect and celebrate some of the most astonishing moments in sport, Under Armour hosted its Mental Strength Symposium: Through 2021 on February 2, paying homage to their world-class athletes.
Hosted by SA’s leading sports commentator, Matt Pearce, guests were treated to an exclusive panel discussion with Olympian gold medallists Tatjana Schoenmaker and world record-breaking Paralympian Ntando Mahlangu, as well as the brilliant Siviwe Soyizwapi and Kevin Lerena.
Schoenmaker, who won two of South Africa’s three medals at the Tokyo Olympics, recalled her triumphant week in 2021.
“The spirit in the South African camp at the Olympics was so inspiring. We are a nation of believers. To see the elation within the camp and back home is something I will always treasure.
“After missing out on the Rio Olympics by such a small margin, one-hundredth of a second (0.01 seconds), I was determined to bounce back. I kept on telling myself that if I have a lane, I have a chance.”
Mental strength was certainly epitomised through 20-year-old double amputee Mahlangu, who shared his inspiring experience at the 2020 Paralympics after winning two gold medals. In 2010, Mahlangu had both legs amputated. Ntando broke the world record in the men’s long jump T63 to claim a gold medal.
“It was tough coming off the back of the pandemic, but my goal was clear for the games. I had to finish what I started. I had to push through and motivate myself.
“It’s all about believing in yourself. Even though I’m competing in an individual sport, Team SA was like a second family and played such a crucial role in my success.
“I compete in athletics because it’s a sport I fell in love with at a young age. When I’m on the track, I’m free. Collectively all of these elements kept me motivated to stay on course to achieve what I have in the past year,” said Ntando.
Sticking to the UA mantra, Only Way is Through, which speaks to the mental toughness required by athletes, brands and businesses to be best in class, the evening’s guest speaker Brandon Beack had everyone in awe, embodying the essence of mental strength like no other.
His journey is another inspiring one, finding himself at the age of 14 lying paralysed in a hospital bed with his dreams of being an Olympic gymnast smashed.
“Life throws things at you all the time and you have to work around it. You need to be agile, you need to learn to adapt and you need a bit of friction to grow, to push yourself to be the best version of yourself,” said Beack.
According to incoming Under Armour GM Darren Cooke, “Mental strength is an essential part of the Under Armour brand narrative. It is a space the organisation fiercely seeks to honour and protect for our athletes, understanding its importance for those competing at this level.
“The success achieved with the UA athletes was set in motion years back, the investment in the athlete’s mental well-being and recovery, through medal wins and through loss is a crucial component of the Under Armour strategy.
“2021 was a year when the world was looking to sport to instil a sense of hope and change, and these athletes did just that. So tonight was a celebration of them and their journey alongside Under Armour.”
Cooke revealed the Under Armour brand will focus on the Gift of the Game: “What sport does to people, their community, their hope and their outlook.”
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