How Gold Coast beaches fuel world decathlon champion Ben Guse

A world champion athlete has revealed the unexpected training secret behind his success is something free that sits right across the road from his uni campus.

Decathlon Champion Benjamin Guse training at Griffith University. Mr Guse won the Excellence in Promoting Sports & Wellness category at the Experience Gold Coast Student Excellence Awards for his outstanding results and his contributions back to the community via little athletics and his osteopathic studies. Picture: Glenn Hampson

World decathlon champion Ben Guse, 22, has found his edge on the Gold Coast.

The Southern Cross University student, who claimed gold at both the Australian Track and Field Championships and World University Games and last week won the top prize for health promotion at the Experience Gold Coast Student Excellence Awards, said the southern Gold Coast lifestyle was a contributor to his success.

Decathlon Champion Benjamin Guse, training at Griffith University, won the Excellence in Promoting Sports & Wellness category for his outstanding results and his contributions back to the community via little athletics and his osteopathic studies. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The campus at SCU is literally right across the road from the beach,” he told the Bulletin as part of our weekly series celebrating the region.

“The freedom after class of just literally going across the road to chill out at the beach with my mates – I think it’s some of the best beaches and scenery in the world.”

For an athlete juggling a Masters of Osteopathic Medicine with training for the Commonwealth Games, beach access isn’t just a luxury – it’s essential recovery.

“It’s (decathlon) such a gruelling competition both physically and mentally,” he said.

“That sort of the mental side of it, just being able to relax for a bit and get some R & R is so important.”

View of Coolangatta beach and Snapper Rocks from Kirra Point Lookout, Gold Coast. Photo: istock Escape 9 Dec 2025

Mr Guse spends his spare time mentoring a new generation of sporting stars through Little Athletics.

“It’s important to give back – giving them a foundation for the future, especially with Brisbane 2032 coming up,” he said.

“The opportunities are definitely growing here for the younger generations.”

Originally published as How Gold Coast beaches fuel world decathlon champion Ben Guse