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Kyle leaps into our affections

This story originally appeared in Deadly Vibe Magazine Issue #14 January, 1998

We have just opened The Vault – all the back stories from old editions – dating back to the 1990s. To know where we are going, it's important to understand where we have been. And that story you can follow in the Deadly Vibe Vault!

DV14 pg9 croppedOur Melbourne based muscle marvel, Kyle Vander Kuyp’s head is still spinning after being named 1998 Cleo’s most eligible Bachelor of the year at a glittering ceremony recently conducted in Sydney.

While the award confirms what we already know – that Kyle is a huge super spunk, this award also recognises that the cool man behind those Oatley glasses has achieved excellence in his given field, elite athletics.

Both Kyle and his girlfriend aren’t too sure what the award means. But as Kyle said, it is about excelling at what you do and what you do best and what you are a s a person as well. It was a bit of a shock for Kyle and something he didn’t expect.

“They eliminated it to the last fifty and asked me to do cover shots. I thought that would be as far as it would go.. and then they said that I had won CLEO’S Most Eligible Bachelor Of The Year. It was a bit overwhelming, I didn’t know how to take it all or what to do!”

Just keep being yourself Kyle, that is all you have to do!! Congratulations.

Kyle’s focus is on the 2000 games…

We can expect to see Kyle Vander-Kuyp at the Olympics in 2000. And expect it to be one of the greatest high moments in Australian history.

Kyle, along with all Indigenous athletes will be out to show the world not only what great ability Australia has but also show off our Indigenous magic.

“The whole world will see what Australia is like and what we have here and a big part of that is the Aboriginal culture. I feel honoured to be able to go on the track and represent Australia but also Aboriginal Australia in a positive way,” Kyle says.

Kyle is totally dedicated and disciplined to his sport. He trains six hours a day and juggles competitions with training.

Kyle finds it easy to focus on his training because he loves it so much.

“Hurdles are an exciting event… there are so many sections. It is never boring,” Kyle says.

Kyle’s training consists of speed and strength work in the gym or on the track as well   his own techniques to improve his times.

At the moment Kyle is focussing on that one big event, Sydney 2000. After that Kyle could have a lot of other offers but admits that it is a sport that most athletes become addicted to.

“I’ll be twenty nine for Sydney, most hurdler’s reach their peak in their late twenties early thirties. I am not ruling out the next Olympics, I’ll be thirty three, so I will probably still be running.”

If we look a lot at the American and French runners, they are all in their late twenties early thirties when they have done really well.

“It is one thing to get physically right but then it takes years to get mentally right and have both things working.” said Kyle.

“Athletes like Carl Lewis and Linford Christie are in their late to mid thirties and doing their best times. It just takes you so long to get everything sorted out,” he said

Keep your eyes out for Kyle; he isn’t hanging up those boots after 2000. He has a few more hurdles to get over.

Cleo reveals…

Hangouts: In Melbourne, Café Sienna, Chapel Street, South Yarra

Which famous woman reflects the qualities you look for in a partner? Tina Arena because she’s talented, motivated and works hard to achieve her goals.

The silliest thing that you have ever done for love? I lent my car to my first girlfriend and she blew the engine up!

What were you teased about as a child? I got teased for being a shade darker than all the other kids. Yeah, things have changed.

You last got passionate about? The Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. This was something that I dreamed about since I was about 10 years old.

Number of times you have been in love? Whichever way I answer this I could be in trouble – so I will pass.

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