What is your main motivation for doing athletics?
I want to break records, but my main motivation is the satisfaction I get after every competition or race, as well as the satisfaction on the faces of my teammates, coach and my parents.
What do you most enjoy about athletics?
Meeting new people, making friends, the places I travel to and the experience I get.
What have been your major highlights and achievements in athletics?
My highlight was being chosen for the U/15 national team to travel to Serbia for the U/15 World School Championships, and my major achievement so far is the four gold medals I won at that event; gold medals in 100m, long jump, 4x100m as well as medley relay.
What are your long-term goals in athletics?
To continue breaking records and to represent Namibia as a youth and a senior at all major events in the world.
You were part of the team that travelled to Serbia for the World U/15 ISF Games, talk to us about your experience.
This was indeed the most memorable tour I ever undertook. I made friends from Namibia, Estonia, Ukraine, Mexico and Russia. It was nice in Serbia; I loved it so much and want to go back there in the future.
What were some of the challenges you faced on the track while you were there?
The first challenge was to deal with a new coach for the first time, but we bonded very fast. The other challenge was to compete alone (in events) from my country.
You bagged four gold medals, talk to us about that feeling.
I felt proud and good about my achievements. I never thought it will happen to me at a competition of that magnitude, because my teammate Magano Naseb was faster than me in the 200m and better than me in long jump at the Coca-Cola National Championships. I still can’t believe my luck that I bagged four gold medals.
What do you feel are your main strengths in athletics?
My height is a good advantage over other athletes at my age, as well as my determination and commitment.
What areas do you think you need improvement in?
As a sprinter, I still need to improve on my reaction time and my style of sprinting out of the starting blocks.
Do you participate in any other sport, recreation or fitness activities?
I love to play soccer, as well as PlayStation soccer and the Call of Duty games.
How important is athletics in your life right now?
It’s very important because it will become my career. Athletics is also a tool to give meaning to my life, and it changes my behaviour towards my peers and the youth at large.
How would you rate your desire and determination to succeed in athletics?
My desire to succeed in athletics – I rate it at 85%. I am still young and there are still too many distractions.
Is there a coach or an athlete that you look up to as a role model and why?
I am looking up to Christine Mboma. She is humble, she works hard and she is very dedicated. Also, Frankie Fredericks, because he never gave up and tried his best.
How do you expect a coach to help achieve your goals?
To believe in me and teach me how to do things better. He/she must understand my needs and my dislikes and must be a mentor to me. He/she must have the same or even better commitment towards athletics.
What do you see yourself accomplishing in five to 10 years?
I want to represent my country at U/18 and youth levels as well as the Commonwealth Games to prepare myself well for the Olympics in 2036.
What do you believe to be one of your weaknesses and what are you doing to improve it?
One of my weaknesses is that I do too much for other people, but I am working on it to put myself first also.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge most athletes are facing today?
The greatest challenge most athletes are facing is the lack of qualified coaches/trainers and quality sports and training facilities. There are also few sponsorships available for athletes.
Your ambitions for 2021 and beyond?
I want to be a successful student and finish high school with a scholarship in athletics to become a professional athlete. I also want to always improve my running time.
Quick Quiz
X-box or PlayStation? Play Station
Instagram, Tik-Tok or Snapchat?
Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry or SpongeBob Square Pants? Pink Panther
Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin or Asafa Powell? Usain Bolt
Afrobeat, Amapiano or Kwaito? Amapiano