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Darius Eshete

Australia

SportSpeed Skating
NOCAustralia
Born17 Aug 1984 in  Perth
GenderMen
Higher educationExercise Science, Sports Physiology - Edith Cowan University: Perth, WA, AUS
OccupationAthlete, Personal Trainer
LanguagesEnglish
ResidenceCalgary, AB, CAN
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 40.08 30 Nov 2018 Calgary  
    1000m 1:17.89 08 Nov 2019 Calgary  
    1500m 1:57.12 10 Nov 2019 Calgary  
    5000m 6:55.84 26 Sep 2021 Calgary  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHe had wanted to practise speed skating since he had first seen the sport in Europe when he was age seven. "I dreamed of speed skating ever since I first saw marathon skating on Dutch TV during my first overseas trip as a seven-year-old in 1992. Many years later, I found myself in Canada on a failed working holiday trip with my partner at the time. And I thought to myself, 'Do I go back to Australia, or stay in Canada and follow a pipe dream?'"  
General Interest
General Interest
HobbiesUrban inline skating, surfing. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)  
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs"Consuming blended arugula [rocket] pre-race when it's available." (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)  
Memorable sporting achievementRepresenting Australia at World Cup events. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)  
Most influential person in careerAustralian speed skaters Daniel Greig and Josh Capponi. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)  
Hero / IdolUS speed skaters Shani Davis and Joey Mantia. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)  
InjuriesHe suffered a lower back injury in June 2019. The injury was still causing him problems in 2022. (Instagram profile, 22 Nov 2022; Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)

In May 2019 he suffered a torn right hamstring and needed about four months to recover. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)

In 2017 he tore the meniscus in his left knee and needed about eight weeks to recover. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)

In 2015 he suffered a left ankle sprain that affected the mobility of the joint. "It still affects my skating position today [in 2021]". (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)

He spent seven weeks in hospital at age nine after he was involved in a car accident that resulted in a compound fracture to his left leg [femur] and a fracture to his left arm [ulna]. He also sustained a fractured skull and a concussion that saw him placed into an induced coma. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021; Instagram profile, 11 Nov 2019)
 
AmbitionsTo compete at the Olympic Winter Games, and to compete in the 5000m on the World Cup circuit. (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021; Instagram profile, 11 Nov 2019)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?He began speed skating at age 29 in Calgary, AB, Canada.  
General Interest
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto"Do it while you can before you can't." (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)  
Other informationLATE STARTER
He decided to take up speed skating at age 29. "[In 2014] I decided I wanted to go to World Cups and have a shot maybe at Olympics [by] starting speed skating at 29 going on 30. Trying to make ends meet, driving an 800-dollar car, not being able to see my mother, sister and other family and mates who have supported me through thick and thin. Everybody moves on with life - family, kids - [while] I'm still doing circles on ice." (Instagram profile, 11 Nov 2019)

FROM AUSTRALIA TO CANADA
He has travelled regularly between Australia and Canada, and gained permanent residence in Canada in May 2019. The process took two years, including more than a year where he was unable to work legally and had to volunteer in order to maintain his professional contacts. "Now why am I in Canada? Oh yeah, that skating thing. So now, with access to medical health cover, I can actually see a doctor, dentist when I need to, see a physio regularly and be able to fund the ultimate goal of [speed skating at major events]. Times have certainly been challenging to say the least, and I was going to throw the towel in many times." (abc.net.au, 29 May 2023; Instagram profile, 28 May 2019)

OCCUPATION
He has worked as a personal trainer at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, AB, Canada. He has also worked as an exercise physiologist for organisations as well as private clients in both Canada and Australia, and as a tennis coach. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Feb 2022; Facebook profile, 06 Mar 2021)

FURTHER EDUCATION
He has completed postgraduate studies in exercise physiology at Edith Cowan University in Perth, WA, Australia. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Feb 2022)
 
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/darius.eshete  
twitter.com/D_eshete  
General Interest
General Interest
NicknamesD, Dars (Athlete, 02 Dec 2021)  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2020/2021 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps27  
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification Mass Start38  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification Mass Start43  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification Mass Start 16 Laps43