Nasilowski to tackle Dash

SPORTS REPORTER Former Paralympic swimmer Gideon Nasilowski believes that his disability should not prevent him from reaching new goals, but should actually inspire him to reach out and break boundaries of perceived possibilities.Commonly known as the Amphibian Namibian, the 36-year-old Windhoek-born Nasilowski plans to tackle the 2020 Nedbank Desert Dash, with the aim of bringing awareness to disabled sport and eventually assist and help manage Paralympians in their sport and their future beyond sport.Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition that causes joint contractures due to inadequate amniotic fluid in the mother's womb and resulting in fixed joints, weak muscles and bone fibrosis, when he was younger, Nasilowski was afraid of water, but overcame his fear when he learnt how to swim at school.He also tried playing football, but after breaking his arm a few times, he decided to abandon that sport. Trying different thingsHe attended the Elizabeth Conradie Primary School for disabled in Kimberley, South Africa, before attending Academia High School in Windhoek from grade eight to 12.He began competing in swimming events in 2011 at age 26 at the Central Gauteng Aquatics Championships in Johannesburg.Married for three years now to his ever-supportive wife Jeaninne, and currently residing in Swakopmund where he works as sales manager for Namibian Fresh Produce Market, Nasilowski said he started cycling in 2015.“I wanted to get active, but also I was trying my hand at a triathlon,” he explained.Gruelling DashWhen asked why he decided to participate in the Dash, his response was simple: “The Desert Dash is a gruelling race for able-bodied people, but how awesome would it be for a disabled-bodied athlete to compete in this race?”This follows a successful stint in swimming that culminated in him representing Namibia at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. He participated in the 50-metre freestyle S3 competition, falling out in the first round after coming home in a time of one minute and 38.21 seconds.ChallengesNasilowski said transitioning to cycling has its own challenges, but he is tackling them head-on.“I pedal with only one leg because my left leg has no knee and cannot bend. This has its disadvantages and makes it doubly hard to cycle.“I make use of a hybrid tricycle called the Amphibianmobiel, which gives me some assistance in getting the cock to complete the full circle of motion when pedalling,” he explained.

Nasilowski to tackle Dash

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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Nasilowski to tackle Dash

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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