TOYOTA AMBASSADOR
NAME
Ben Tudhope
AGE
22
sport
Para-snowboard cross
Banked slalom
paralympic history
Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018
We are proud to be supporting Ben as he chases gold at the XXIV Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. We caught up with Ben recently, while meeting with our Olympian and Paralympian ambassadors, to hear more about his journey representing Australia on the world stage.
Q: What fuelled your dream of competing at the Paralympics? When did your love for snowboarding start?
A: I have been a massive sports fan for as long as I can remember. I always watched the Olympics when it was on and took a more profound interest in the Winter Paralympic and action sports events like X Games and Dew Tour. I fell in love with the snow at a young age as my family had a chalet at Mt Hotham. I started skiing at three, but watching my dad and sister snowboard motivated me to switch when I was eight and developed an instant passion. My goal was never to compete at the Paralympics and I developed my skills to be the best snowboarder I could be. I met the Australian Paralympic Snowboard coach when training at the local Perisher Winter Sports Club. After riding under his guidance for a couple of years, he allowed me to travel overseas when I was 13 to compete on the World Para Snowboard Circuit to qualify for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. That's when my Paralympic journey started!
Q: In a difficult 2021, how did you keep motivated over the last 12 months?
A: 2021 was very difficult for everyone. To keep a positive mindset, I would find ways to keep myself busy by immersing myself in university study and training and remembering how fortunate I am compared to others. There were many highs and lows, but I took the time in lockdown to work hard to get my body and mind as strong as possible. I set short and long term plans to have something to look forward to. I was lucky enough to get an entire season on snow during the Australian winter to train for an essential Northern hemisphere winter.
Q: What are the most important things you focus on when preparing for the Paralympics Winter Games?
A: The main focus whilst preparing for the Paralympics is not to do anything outrageously different. Keeping everything I do the same will let me settle my nerves for the Paralympics Winter Games like preparing for any other competition. Setting a routine is crucial for me to have a constant measure that can reset my mindset if something unexpected happens throughout the season. A routine set at the beginning of the season that works for me lets me continue doing the same things every day, whether we are training, competing, or having a day off. Then lastly, trusting my team is crucial to my success at big competitions. Being open to constructive feedback from coaches and teammates will help me figure out and progress on the course.
Q: What's something people don't know about you that's unexpected?
A: I've never broken a bone in my body… touch wood!
Q: You've talked about adapting to overcome adversity. What's the best piece of advice you can give to anyone that is just starting out?
A: My main piece of advice is to take every opportunity possible and do so with a positive mindset. Opportunities lead to so many more doors opening on the way to achieving your goals. Of course, it's the journey that counts the most, so you might not know where the opportunity will take you, but if you commit to it, you'll be better off than when you started.
Q: Where in the world would you love to make a road trip / take your car on the road right now?
A: I would love to road trip around Australia! But, unfortunately, I've explored very little of what our backyard has to offer! And what better to do it in than a Toyota!
Thanks Ben!
