Our Tokyo 2020 medal hope
Ever-improving marathoner Helalia Johannes is most probably the only able-bodied athlete from Namibia who realistically stands a chance of returning from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics with a medal.
Judging from her recent performances, Helalia Johannes is on track to make the country proud at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
She is also widely being tipped as the top contender for the sportswoman of the year title at the upcoming 2018 MTC/NSC Namibia Sports Awards.
This past Sunday, she broke the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon women's record, finishing first in a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 28 seconds.
The title boosted her finances, which will be used to prepare for the Olympics.
She received a R100 000 bonus for breaking the record, as well as the R265 000 first prize on Sunday.
This is in addition to an unspecified amount of money she won in April in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, when she stunned the marathon world be grabbing the women's title.
Last year, Johannes also won the sportswomen of the year award, walking away with N$100 000.
The athlete has been in top form this year, scooping gold at the Commonwealth Games in April, while beating firm favourites to reach the pinnacle of the podium.
She also won the 21km Old Mutual Victory Races series recently and was made the ambassador of the event. However, this has not been made official by the event organisers.
Athletics Namibia president, Erwin Naimwaka, said he is not surprised the athlete is doing well.
“Over the years she has showed commitment and dedication at training and it was just a matter of time before she pushed herself to international stardom.
“Johannes is a great example of hard work and dedication. From time to time we selected her for running events and several media houses would question our selection, saying that we send old athletes to events, but she has shown what we all knew before - that marathoners reach their peak over a period of time,” Naimwaka said.
He added athletics remains one of the sport codes that continues to fly the national flag high on the international stage.
Naimwaka said we would, however, not be putting a lot of pressure on Johannes in term of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“Let's just continue to support and create platforms for these athletes. I'm really not worried because there are many who will make a mark on the international scene, when and if Johannes decides to retire.
“But all in all, I'm very excited and proud about her recent win and her performances so far,” he said.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
She is also widely being tipped as the top contender for the sportswoman of the year title at the upcoming 2018 MTC/NSC Namibia Sports Awards.
This past Sunday, she broke the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon women's record, finishing first in a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 28 seconds.
The title boosted her finances, which will be used to prepare for the Olympics.
She received a R100 000 bonus for breaking the record, as well as the R265 000 first prize on Sunday.
This is in addition to an unspecified amount of money she won in April in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, when she stunned the marathon world be grabbing the women's title.
Last year, Johannes also won the sportswomen of the year award, walking away with N$100 000.
The athlete has been in top form this year, scooping gold at the Commonwealth Games in April, while beating firm favourites to reach the pinnacle of the podium.
She also won the 21km Old Mutual Victory Races series recently and was made the ambassador of the event. However, this has not been made official by the event organisers.
Athletics Namibia president, Erwin Naimwaka, said he is not surprised the athlete is doing well.
“Over the years she has showed commitment and dedication at training and it was just a matter of time before she pushed herself to international stardom.
“Johannes is a great example of hard work and dedication. From time to time we selected her for running events and several media houses would question our selection, saying that we send old athletes to events, but she has shown what we all knew before - that marathoners reach their peak over a period of time,” Naimwaka said.
He added athletics remains one of the sport codes that continues to fly the national flag high on the international stage.
Naimwaka said we would, however, not be putting a lot of pressure on Johannes in term of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“Let's just continue to support and create platforms for these athletes. I'm really not worried because there are many who will make a mark on the international scene, when and if Johannes decides to retire.
“But all in all, I'm very excited and proud about her recent win and her performances so far,” he said.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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