Goagoseb dreams of competing at the Paralympic Games
HITZKIRCH - Riwaldo Goagoseb, the guide of T11 sprinter Chris Kinda, dreams of one day rubbing shoulders with the crème de la crème of the T11 100 metre (m) and 400m sprints.
A sprinter himself, Goagoseb said he has committed all his time as a runner-guide as he has aspirations of representing Namibia with Kinda at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Para Athletics Championships or Paralympic Games.
The sprinter said his dream is not impossible if he works hard at all the goals they have set for themselves.
“I became an athlete when I joined the Namib Lions Athletics Club through the recommendation of a friend Michael Kawiwi. Despite joining the club as an athlete, I was soon introduced to guiding by coach Michael Hamukwaya, and I have never looked back,” said Goagoseb.
He has in the past competed at the Fazza International Championships Dubai Grand Prix and the Marrakech Grand Prix in Morocco.
Goagoseb said qualifying for the World Para Athletics Championships and the Paralympic Games would make him happy.
“We need to work hard if we are to realise that dream. Going to the world championships will be difficult, but if we work hard and mentally prepare well with our coach, we will qualify for these games,” he said.
The athlete who is currently being coached by Henk Botha stated that to be the best in the world, they have to compete with the best in their category.
“We want to experience the intense competition amongst the world’s best as Ananias Shikongo one of the best in the world has been doing,”
Goagoseb said he is enjoying his role as a guide because it’s in his nature to help people, but the job comes with its ups and downs.
“Guiding is not an easy job as visually-impaired people are sometimes difficult, but I have learned how to balance this. The good part of what I am doing is the exposure I get to see the world and learn from the different cultures.”
Goagoseb added that winning a bronze medal in the 100m and 400m at the 2022 Dubai Grand Prix was a good stepping stone they want to emulate at upcoming championships.