The Body Issue

Champions come in all shapes and sizes. Whether running faster, throwing further, or handstand walking for longer than the rest of the world, these seven athletes optimise their physiques to stay at the very top. Learn from their example

- Jamie Millar

ROCCO VAN ROOYEN

OLYMPIC JAVELIN THROWER, CHALLENGE SEEKER

AGED 26 |190CM | 100KG

Despite incurring three injuries in the space of four years, Rocco van Rooyen is in the prime of his career. Earlier this year, the Olympic javelin thrower took gold at SA Champs.

His win came shortly after he was booted off the South African Survivor reality show. Living on the island had been detrimental to his mental and physical fitness; in the four weeks between the show and the championship, he had to claw his way back to peak fitness.

Even so, on the day of the competition the athlete took things easy before the start. “I wasn’t sure how my elbow was going to react, so I kept the surprise for my first throw,” he admits.

But Rocco is an optimist at heart. He’s always loved a challenge: it’s one of the reasons he took up the javelin in the first place.

At school, he tried all the competitive sports, including rugby and athletics. He stuck with the javelin, because it was the one he seemed to have a natural talent for. Soon, it became his life. In 2011, he placed first at the African Junior Championships.

“I’ve been around the block a bit, but this year’s win was extra-special. I’ve been through hectic operations, and they all cost me a lot of time. So to win after being on Survivor was a special thing for me.”

Over the years, injuries to his elbow have forced him to find alternative ways to train. “For the most part, I only do about 50% of what I need to do. This includes explosive gym work, or sprints, or any kind of exercise that doesn’t put too much strain on my joints.”