Triathlon: Whangamata the next step to a full life

Dreydon Sobanja suffered from depression until he threw himself into triathlon training. Photo / Supplied

Dreydon Sobanja had sunk to a dangerous low before deciding to turn it all around with the help of triathlon.

The 39-year-old will take the next step in that life-changing process when he competes at the Contact Tri Series in Whangamata on January 3.

Overweight and with work pressure piling up, Sobanja's mental health deteriorated to a dark place and depression took hold. He realised something needed to be done to snap him out of it and get his life back and, at that point, triathlon came onto the scene.

"Things were pretty dim and dark before I made the big decision to sort my life out," he said. "My family know how hard it got for me, I was a very depressed man.

"I had to stop focussing on work so much and sort my health out and, once I grabbed onto triathlon, that was it - I was addicted pretty quickly.

"It's good to look back and think, 'I've put that demon to rest', and moved on with life. If my story makes someone else, who's feeling the same way I was, realise they can do something about it then it's worth it."

Triathlon training gave Sobanja something to get excited about again, and the more he trained the better he felt. The training also helped physically as he lost more than 20kg and his body shape began to transform.

In April, Mr Sobanja competed in his first ever triathlon at the People's Tri in Auckland's Mission Bay.

"I wasn't there to compete I was there to complete. At the time it seemed like a massive thing to do but afterwards it was a great feeling of achievement.

"I really enjoyed the experience and was surprised at how well I went. It really encouraged me to do more in the sport."

Sobanja has done a huge amount of training in 2011 and is now eyeing an age group spot at next year's World Triathlon Series grand final on Auckland's waterfront.

Starting in Whangamata, he will compete in nine races around the country during the summer season, with his ultimate goal to secure World Champs' qualification at the Kinloch round of the Contact Tri Series in February.

"I'm working pretty hard to make sure I'm at the top of my age group there."

With less than one season under his belt, Sobanja insists he's hooked on the sport and will be around for a long time to come.