Hilma Nalupe
At just 14 years old, Windhoek-born Vitoria de Sousa is already making waves, literally. Full of determination and discipline, the young swimmer has become one of Namibia’s brightest sporting hopes.
De Sousa first dived into competitive swimming at the age of eight, inspired by Namibian swimming champion Heleni Stergiadis. What began as a childhood dream has now turned into a journey marked by broken records, hard-earned medals, and the kind of resilience that only champions are made of.
Her most memorable milestone to date was at the Region 5 Youth Games, where she not only represented her country with pride but also shattered a Namibian record, an achievement she still carries close to her heart.
“There was a time I felt like I wasn’t doing well enough, but I kept reminding myself to stay consistent and never give up. Which is what kept me going,” she said.
It is this spirit of persistence that recently carried her all the way to Algeria, where she proudly represented Namibia at the African School Games. She returned home draped in medals: a gold in the 100metre (m) freestyle, another gold in the 200m individual medley, breaking yet another national record, a silver in the 400m individual medley, and a bronze in the 400m freestyle.
Her achievements don’t stop there. This year alone, she has collected an astonishing 41 medals across various competitions. Each victory, big or small, is a stepping stone towards her ultimate dream of competing at the Olympic Games.
De Sousa’s schedule is nothing short of gruelling. She trains five times a week, with double sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she swims in the afternoon. Being homeschooled gives her the flexibility to balance her academics with her demanding training routine.
But she is not just a swimmer. When she is not in goggles and lane lines, she is being a teenager who loves to play soccer and spend time with her friends and family. Before every race, she grounds herself through music and stretching, small rituals that calm her nerves and ignite her focus.
Looking ahead, Vitoria dreams of not only standing on the Olympic stage but also giving back to the sport one day as a swimming coach. For her, the pool is not just a place of competition, but a home where dreams are nurtured, challenges are overcome and records are rewritten.
-hilmanalupe@gmail.com