MEET SAM HOLNESS
It seems all too appropriate that we end this issue with the story of Super Sam. For those who haven’t seen the Hoka One One video that was done on Sam Holness, here’s what he had to say:
“My name is Sam Holness. I’m 26 years old and I live in London in the U.K. My nickname is Super Sam. I am a triathlete that just happens to have autism, and I’m going be awesome. Sometimes when I to to an event, I am the only Black triathlete, and maybe the only one with autism. Autism is an advantage – I am very focused, and I’m not easily distracted. I train hard and want to be successful. I just never give up. If other athletes pass me, I want to catch them and get back in front. Like, ‘Come on legs, go faster! Get to the front.’”
“Most people don’t understand autism,” he continues in the video that was shot near his home last November. “If I can show people that someone with autism can be a successful triathlete, then it will motivate people. I enjoy doing triathlons because it gives me confidence and improves my self-esteem. I want to go to the triathlon world championships, or maybe Kona one day. I want to show that people with autism can participate in sport. In fact, autism is a strength and athletes from any background can be great triathletes. All you need to do is get out there and get active. Don’t let your disability be a reason for not doing sport.”
He’s not kidding about being awesome, either. Sam trains up to 20 hours a week under the careful guidance of his father, Anthony, who works with various specialist coaches to hone his son’s skills. One of the challenges Anthony found when he loves what he’s doing, as do his parents.
“As parents, we didn’t know what would happen after he finished university,” Anthony says. “Only 16 per cent of people with autism have full-time jobs. Triathlon gave him so much confidence and self-esteem.”
Anthony hopes that Sam’s future includes triathlon, and it’s hard to imagine that it won’t. Sam wants to coach some day and continue to enjoy what he loves most about running down a finishing chute at the end of a race: “I’m excited to inspire people.”—KM