Retired goalkeeper Nick Gindre has taken the unusual route of pursuing another sporting career past his football playing days.
Born in Argentina, Gindre spent a sizeable part of his playing career in the English lower divisions including a spell at AFC Wimbledon before moving to AmaZulu in 2009 after which he featured for Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Since retiring, Gindre has been operating Functional Training South Africa in Randburg, completed both the Comrades marathon and Ironman Triathlon, and on Tuesday leaves for the 2022 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Masters Championship in USA.
READ | Sundowns reveal further details on decision to appoint Mokwena as head coach
"I played football until a time when circumstances beyond my control pushed me out of the game leaving me frustrated because I felt I could still play," Gindre tells KickOff.
Instead of cutting down on training like what normally occurs to footballers when they stop playing, the 38-year-old quickly pursued another sporting code.
"When I stopped playing professional football, I was looking for something to keep me busy and entertained so I opened a gym.
"I started doing regular gym training and enjoyed it.
"Then I did CrossFit events, but I didn't enjoy it, so I tried out Olympic weightlifting.
"From then on, I did coaching courses and watched YouTube videos and so slowly I started getting better at the sport.
"In 2018 I started competing and it has gone well for me.
"Now that I'm over 35 I qualify in the Masters' category, and I have given it all my effort and managed to qualify for the World Championships to represent Argentina.
"I fly out to Orlando, Florida tomorrow for my first international competition.
"I'm hoping to do well without pushing myself into medal positions expectations because there are world-class athletes there, but I will still do my best and represent my country as best as I can," explains Gindre who played in the 2010 Nedbank Cup final.
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In