Nasilowski sets eyes on tough competitions
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
Retired Namibian Paralympic swimmer Gideon Nasilowski has announced that he will return to take on the upcoming Nedbank Desert Dash, as well as a challenge which will see him swim from Robben Island to Blouberg Strand in Cape Town by the end of February 2021.
Popularly known as the 'Namibian Amphibian', Nasilowski enjoyed a notable swimming career until his retirement in 2016.
Missing some action, Nasilowski announced on his Facebook page that he will take on the Dash together with Team Amphibian Namibian, which includes Dave Hammond, Dickson Vambe and Quintin Els. The team has ample time to prepare as the Dash is set for December, as are the Desert Triathlon and Jetty Mile competition.
Next year's challenge
Next year's challenge will take the Namibian from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand in Cape Town, South Africa, along the shores of Table Bay.
'I see my disability as an ability. The Dome in Swakopmund will be the facility where we will train. The training will also include outdoor training,” Nasilowski posted.
'There is a bigger picture and goal which can be achieved with this. Namibia has an untapped market for potential medal winners. We have the best pound for pound boxers. We have the DNA to become super athletes.
'Unfortunately we lack talent identification, programme preparation, athlete management and preparation for life after sport, among other things.”
He added that not since the days of former athlete Frankie Fredericks has Namibia achieved an Olympic medal. He further said that the Paralympic time has been the most successful after Fredericks. He added that more Para-athletes can be discovered, placed in formal programmes and managed properly.
'But before this can happen, we need to give people hope and that starts with a dream,' he added.
He also spoke about the stigma associated with disability. 'In many cultures disability has been associated with curses, disease, dependence, helplessness, presumed to not be able to care for themselves and unable to make their own decisions.' That is not the case, Nasilowski emphasised.
He said everything he does is to encourage people with disability.
Where it all started
He learned to swim at school and began competing in 2011 at the age 26 at the Central Gauteng Aquatics Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He was scared of water as a child but overcame his fear after learning how to swim at school. He decided to take up the sport seriously after being challenged by friends who thought he would not be able to reach the Paralympic Games.
WINDHOEK
Retired Namibian Paralympic swimmer Gideon Nasilowski has announced that he will return to take on the upcoming Nedbank Desert Dash, as well as a challenge which will see him swim from Robben Island to Blouberg Strand in Cape Town by the end of February 2021.
Popularly known as the 'Namibian Amphibian', Nasilowski enjoyed a notable swimming career until his retirement in 2016.
Missing some action, Nasilowski announced on his Facebook page that he will take on the Dash together with Team Amphibian Namibian, which includes Dave Hammond, Dickson Vambe and Quintin Els. The team has ample time to prepare as the Dash is set for December, as are the Desert Triathlon and Jetty Mile competition.
Next year's challenge
Next year's challenge will take the Namibian from Robben Island to Bloubergstrand in Cape Town, South Africa, along the shores of Table Bay.
'I see my disability as an ability. The Dome in Swakopmund will be the facility where we will train. The training will also include outdoor training,” Nasilowski posted.
'There is a bigger picture and goal which can be achieved with this. Namibia has an untapped market for potential medal winners. We have the best pound for pound boxers. We have the DNA to become super athletes.
'Unfortunately we lack talent identification, programme preparation, athlete management and preparation for life after sport, among other things.”
He added that not since the days of former athlete Frankie Fredericks has Namibia achieved an Olympic medal. He further said that the Paralympic time has been the most successful after Fredericks. He added that more Para-athletes can be discovered, placed in formal programmes and managed properly.
'But before this can happen, we need to give people hope and that starts with a dream,' he added.
He also spoke about the stigma associated with disability. 'In many cultures disability has been associated with curses, disease, dependence, helplessness, presumed to not be able to care for themselves and unable to make their own decisions.' That is not the case, Nasilowski emphasised.
He said everything he does is to encourage people with disability.
Where it all started
He learned to swim at school and began competing in 2011 at the age 26 at the Central Gauteng Aquatics Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He was scared of water as a child but overcame his fear after learning how to swim at school. He decided to take up the sport seriously after being challenged by friends who thought he would not be able to reach the Paralympic Games.
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