‘Rest is almost as important as the physical training I do in the track and gym.’
This is what Jonathan Ntutu, South African Paralympic Athlete, told us when we asked him what he does for self-care. He says when he’s not training, he gets as much rest as possible. That’s speaking Sealy language!
We are passionate believers in the Sealy Effect, which explains how good sleep can spill over into other areas of your life, like relationships, physical performance, productivity and health. This is why we were proud to sponsor Jonathan with a Sealy sleep system designed to help him get the best quality sleep. We gifted Jonathan with a Sealy la différence bed, a Sealy MyGel pillow, a Sealy Natural Latex Pillow and a Sealy mattress protector.
The Sealy Effect on athletic performance
‘Our new Sealy la différence bed has made a true difference in the amount of rest I get. I previously slept as much as I could during the night and didn’t feel like I was rested. With our new Sealy bed, I get more than 8 hours and truly proper rest,’ says Jonathan.
‘Proper sleep is one of the most important aspect of getting a good cycle of training. If you don’t sleep well, you will not perform well in training or in competition.’
As a professional athlete from a young age, Jonathan knows what he’s speaking about. Sleep is essential for overall health and wellbeing. Several studies of professional athletes have shown that good quality sleep improves accuracy and increases reaction times. Adequate sleep before a competition is likely to encourage top performance.
Get to know Paralympic Athlete Jonathan Ntutu
Jonathan is off to the Tokyo Paralympic Games this year and his ambition is to win Gold in the men’s 100m T12 so he can complete his Paralympic medal set. Jonathan has competed at three Summer Paralympic Games, first in 2004, then in Beijing in 2008; winning bronze in London in 2012 and silver in Rio in 2016. He has also been hugely successful at four World Championships, coming home with three silvers and two bronze medals.
Born in Gugulethu in 1986, Jonathan was born with a congenital complication that left him visually impaired; though he is not blind. He was unable to cope in mainstream education and his parents, who struggled financially, ensured that his needs were catered for by enrolling him in the Athlone School for the Blind.
This is where Jonathan began to shine. At a young age he showed an aptitude for sprinting, and he soon started training at the Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone. He was selected to represent South Africa in Athens in 2004 at the Paralympic Games. He continued his climb as one of South Africa’s elite Parlympic athletes, winning medals throughout the years.
Good luck to our athletes at this year’s Paralympic games!
The Sealy Team wishes all our Paralympians the best of luck for this the Tokyo Paralympic Games! Your dedication is truly inspiring, and this is your time to shine. South Africa is behind you!