New Year, New Me
A collection of new year’s resolutions from UTM students
Mladen Djuric
My new year’s goal in the sports/fitness domain is to complete my first 100 mile race in the Sulphur Springs Trail Race being held in late May in Ancaster, Ontario. I’m challenging myself with this task because I have run a marathon previously, and since then I have not been running regularly because there has not been an event to look forward to. Training and running this race will push me physically and mentally to grow and adapt to such a strenuous physical task. To be in the top 100 times, you have to complete it in under 20 hours in the 20-29 age group. That is the time I am aiming for and my goal for the new year.
Samm Mohibuddin
As a person using an accessibility device such as a wheelchair, seeing UTM start sports activities like wheelchair basketball was a welcome change. For 2026, I have a resolution to take part in more accessible sporting activities UTM and Mississauga has to offer. Wheelchair tennis is something that I always found alluring given that tennis is a sport I frequently watch. Last year during the National Bank open here in Toronto, there was a separate tournament bracket for wheelchair tennis. Since then I have been inspired to participate and have my own go at it. I hope UTM can introduce more accessible sports options via the RAWC given how we have a tennis court and 2 open fields. Regardless, I have made it a goal to ensure I take part and complete one full season in one accessible sporting league—be it tennis, basketball or any other sport.
Tyler Medeiros
In 2026 I intend to regain my match fitness. Ever since I could walk I had a soccer ball at my feet. I loved going to the field with my friends, shooting the ball around until it became impossible to see. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, I have been spending more time watching soccer than playing. Over the years I have lost the endurance needed to compete for 90 minutes. This year I will follow through with a regimented workout routine to regain my stamina. My goal is to do the beep test three times a week, pushing myself to a new personal record whilst tracking my progress. I hope to reach the excellent category which for males from the ages of 18-25 is >13/10 according to Topend Sports.
Kirk Gibson
Being on the varsity baseball team means that my health and fitness goals align with our schedule to ensure optimal performance. The school season begins in August, so my goals are all with the purpose of reaching my physical peak by the beginning of the season and maintaining my health and strength throughout the campaign.
In the early months of training, which I’m currently in, my goals are to safely build up as much functional muscle as possible. This means my focus is on hypertrophy, training in the eight to twelve rep range for three sets per exercise. Once I get closer to the season, I’ll transition my training to a more strength-based approach allowing me to move as much weight as I can. In this section, I’ll be training in the three to six rep range for two to three sets of each exercise. My last phase before the season begins is to train for power, meaning I’ll focus on moving as heavy as I can as quickly as possible. This directly impacts my power output needed to play the style of baseball I’m here to play. This includes a lot of Olympic lifts including cleans and snatches, as well as bodyweight plyometrics and cutting back weight on my main lifts like bench press to focus more on moving the weight quickly. This structure is designed to reduce the risk of fatigue and injury by not lifting too heavy before I build a base ceiling of muscle that I get through hypertrophy training. After developing strength in the second phase, it’s important for me to prepare my muscles to compete at a high level and move quickly which is achieved through my power training.
Throughout these stages, the most important goal I have is to improve my mobility through yoga and stretching daily. These remedies are essential for injury prevention and ensure I maintain athleticism while my muscles develop. This preparation is to help achieve the most important goal I have for 2026: to be part of the Varsity Blues fourth straight OUA championship.
