TRACK & FIELD
Lessons Learnt on the Track
Dr Henning Gericke of the University of Pretoria is considered by many to be the “ Kop Dokter ” ( Mind Doctor ) of South African sport , the go-to guy who can make athletes believe anything is possible , from winning Olympic medals to Rugby World Cup trophies , and the foundation of his coaching is the lessons learnt during his own career on the track . – BY WILHELM DE SWARDT & SEAN FALCONER
Sporting success seems to follow where Henning Gericke goes . After all , he played a role in helping the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup in 2007 , and helped swimmer Cameron van der Burgh to win gold during the 2012 Olympic Games in London . He also had a hand in javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen winning a silver at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games .
In fact , Henning could tell countless stories of how he has helped athletes and teams fulfil their goals , but he prefers stay in the background , as he does not believe that success in sport should be about psychologists . Rather , it is about the athletes , he says , “ the guys and girls who get to push the boundaries through their selfbelief and hard work .”
Currently one of Henning ’ s priorities is helping the Vodacom Bulls rugby team tackle the lockdownaffected , restructured 2020 season , including the Currie Cup tournament . He is doing so because the 2007 Springbok World Cup-winning coach , Jake White , has not forgotten what a calming influence he brings to a team , and he thus had no hesitation in getting Henning involved with the Bulls when he took over this year . “ Because I was an athlete myself , I have a good understanding of the needs and uncertainties athletes face every day ,” says Henning , adding that one of the most important lessons athletes must learn is not allowing themselves to get worked up about things beyond their control … which is something he had to learn for himself as an athlete .
Winning Obsession
In the late 70s , Henning was considered one of the most exciting young prospects in South African middle-distance running . In 1977 he set a Youth
Henning with two of his greatest rivals and friends , Deon Brummer ( left ) and Johan Fourie ( right )
( under-18 ) World Record in the 1500m when he clocked 3:45.30 in Stellenbosch , and he added an SA Junior ( under-20 ) Record the following year when he clocked 3:42.40 in Bloemfontein . Another highlight was winning the 800m , 1500m and 3000m ‘ triple ’ on the same day during a South African Junior Championships . Notably , when they were both juniors , all-time SA middle-distance legend Johan Fourie was unable to beat Henning .
In 1978 , Henning nearly became one of the youngest male track and field athletes to don the coveted ‘ Green and Gold ’ Springbok colours . Unfortunately , in the race that mattered , the 17-year old and the legendary Matthews Motshwarateu collided , and Henning ended up finishing fifth , and thus had to be content being awarded Junior Springbok colours .
Another disappointment was soon to follow . “ After matriculating at Hoërskool Menlopark , I went to study in the USA , but while there , I tore my Achilles tendon and I could not run for six months . It was one of the factors that had a significant impact on my athletics career ,” he says . “ I then battled to win races as a senior athlete . I will be honest , I could not handle losing , so I had to learn to become process-driven , and not to be obsessed about results .”
In 1984 Henning clocked a mile PB of 3:56.17 , one of the 10 dream miles he ran in his career , and was once again selected for the Junior Springboks . More
Images : Reg Caldecott & courtesy Henning Gericke
44 ISSUE 134 OCTOBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za