At just 19 years old, Magano Naseb has established himself as a rising star in athletics, currently holding the title of schools’ U/19 champion in both the 100metres (m) and 200m.

This is a milestone he always believed was within his reach. 

He boasts an impressive personal best of 20.95 seconds in the 200m and 10.47 seconds in the 100m at school level. 

On the international stage, Naseb is currently ranked 898th in the 200m and 7 919th in the 100m by World Athletics.

Can you briefly tell us about yourself?

I grew up in Oranjemund. My entry into athletics was through a challenge, a sort of bet between my father and one of my teachers. When I was 11, a teacher told my dad I was too slow for the zonal team. The following year, my dad and I trained together throughout. When the zonal and school competitions arrived, I won first place in all my Namibian events. That’s when I truly fell in love with working towards a goal.

Was sprinting always your first love?

I started with rugby from grade 1 until grade 7. I also played a bit of hockey in grades 8 and 9. However, I’ve been running track internationally since grade 6, so I preferred it and pursued it further.

When did you realise you had the potential to compete internationally?

I truly realised my potential in 2021 when I competed in Serbia at the International Sport Federation U/15 Games, returning with four medals – three gold and one silver. That year, I also received the junior sportsman of the year award in Namibia. However, my first international competition was in Eswatini in 2019.

Can you take us through your national experience at the national championship. What was your mindset going into the 100m and 200m final?

Confidence is key for any athlete. As a junior athlete, I could often see who lacked self-belief. I’d think, ‘you’re in your own lane. Why worry about others?’ For the 100m, I entered the race very confident, not concerned about anything except avoiding mistakes. I focused so much on that. I ended up with a mid-start. I then shifted my focus to getting everything else right. 

For the 200m, I felt drained by the sun even before the race. In the semi-final, I realised I needed to start hard to activate my body for the final. So, in the final, I put all my effort into the start. Once I cleared the curve, I was tired, and couldn’t increase speed. So, I just maintained my pace and stride to the finish line.

What does a typical training week look like to you?

My weekly training schedule looks like this: Monday is for speed endurance, Tuesday for block starts, Wednesday for tempo runs, Thursday for speed work, and Friday I go swimming. Saturday is dedicated to muscle endurance. Sunday is my rest day.

How do you mentally prepare for big races, especially when carrying the expectation of being a national champion?

I don’t dwell on external expectations. My sole focus is on executing the perfect race, so what people expect or say doesn’t really affect me.

Who are the key people in your corner?

I’d say my parents, siblings and my coach are my biggest motivators. They constantly encourage me to aim higher and provide invaluable support with both training and mental fortitude.

How do you deal with injuries, setbacks or poor performance?

I struggled with that last year – but as I’ve matured, I’ve learned to look past it. Otherwise, it stays in the back of your mind. You’ll likely continue performing at that lower level.

What has been your proudest moment in athletics so far?

I’d say qualifying for the World U/20 Championships last year was a highlight. Unfortunately, I tore my hamstring right after, so we’ve moved past that.

What are your goals for the next season? Are there any specific competitions you are targeting?

There are not necessarily any specific competitions right now. My main focus is on getting back into top shape. Once I achieve that, I can start targeting competitions like the World Championships.

How do you hope to contribute to Namibian athletics as a role model or ambassador?

I am just there to show other athletes that it is possible.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not training or competing?

Mostly just watch other sports like basketball and soccer.

How do you balance personal life, studies and sports?

I just set time for everything. I mean, I do not train all day, so when I’m not training with my coach, I would either be reading/studying or watching sports.

Any advice for young sprinters out there watching you?

Don’t compare yourself to others – comparison steals your joy. Trust in the Lord. You’ll see other athletes your age run faster times, but should you worry? Nope. Your time will come if you put in the work.

Photos: Contributed