No pressure on Dam
Runner gets rest
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Windhoek
Long-distance runner David Dam will rest for the month of July, before he returns to prepare for another season.
Dam’s manager, Berthold Karumendu, expressed satisfaction for the athlete’s development and performance during what he has described as an exceptionally busy season for the Namibian.
Dam, who managed to reach the semi-final of the 800m star-studded group, has already broken his personal best three times this year. “I think we are pleased with his performance overall and it is time to give him a rest. I am not even worried about his progress, because I think he did a phenomenal job when he competed for the first time outside of Namibia,” Karumendu said.
Born in a marginalised San community, Dam was dubbed as the next big thing in Namibian long-distance running. This year, he won a gold medal in the 1500m and a silver medal in the 800m at the national athletics championship.
Solid start
The athlete, who has dominated several big races in the country, is yet to live up to the hype and maximum potential envisaged for him.
This year, he first competed in South Africa, and then travelled to Botswana and Mauritius.
Karumendu feels that the exposure and experience the athlete received recently will elevate him into a top athlete next season.
“I think we put too much pressure on him this season, because he competed in a lot of races.
“We do not regret anything because we now know that he finished among the best 16 in Africa, which is blessed with the most prolific long-distance runners.
“He will be back with a bang, as he now has had the exposure he needed plus the outside experience, which will work in his favour,” Karumendu explained.
The athlete will resume preparations for the next season in August.
Karumendu also revealed that the team will not overwhelm the athlete with many local events, as this contributes to the higher levels of energy loss.
“We will not do many races here in Namibia next year, but we will focus on having the athlete perform outside. This is part of the bigger plan to conserve his energy and have him compete at the highest of level in the world.”
Windhoek
Long-distance runner David Dam will rest for the month of July, before he returns to prepare for another season.
Dam’s manager, Berthold Karumendu, expressed satisfaction for the athlete’s development and performance during what he has described as an exceptionally busy season for the Namibian.
Dam, who managed to reach the semi-final of the 800m star-studded group, has already broken his personal best three times this year. “I think we are pleased with his performance overall and it is time to give him a rest. I am not even worried about his progress, because I think he did a phenomenal job when he competed for the first time outside of Namibia,” Karumendu said.
Born in a marginalised San community, Dam was dubbed as the next big thing in Namibian long-distance running. This year, he won a gold medal in the 1500m and a silver medal in the 800m at the national athletics championship.
Solid start
The athlete, who has dominated several big races in the country, is yet to live up to the hype and maximum potential envisaged for him.
This year, he first competed in South Africa, and then travelled to Botswana and Mauritius.
Karumendu feels that the exposure and experience the athlete received recently will elevate him into a top athlete next season.
“I think we put too much pressure on him this season, because he competed in a lot of races.
“We do not regret anything because we now know that he finished among the best 16 in Africa, which is blessed with the most prolific long-distance runners.
“He will be back with a bang, as he now has had the exposure he needed plus the outside experience, which will work in his favour,” Karumendu explained.
The athlete will resume preparations for the next season in August.
Karumendu also revealed that the team will not overwhelm the athlete with many local events, as this contributes to the higher levels of energy loss.
“We will not do many races here in Namibia next year, but we will focus on having the athlete perform outside. This is part of the bigger plan to conserve his energy and have him compete at the highest of level in the world.”
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