Soroseb to retire at 45
The 2014 disabled sportsman of the year will call it quits after one last Paralympic attempt.
22 May 2020 | Sports
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
WINDHOEK
Paralympic powerlifter Ruben Soroseb has hinted at retirement after the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The athlete, who is 41 this year, will be 45 when he competes for what is set to be his last time.
He will however first have to qualify to the Games, given that he failed to qualify for Tokyo.
“Well, as one grows older, the truth is that retirement always comes to mind, but I only want to do so at the next Paralympic Games.
“I always wanted to compete in one last Games before I call it quits.”
Plagued by injuries
“It was unfortunate that I did not qualify for the Tokyo Games because I was struggling with injuries,” Soroseb said.
The powerlifter however believes he will be able to make it to the 2024 Paralympics – if he remains injury-free.
Soroseb has not been able to train for the past three months because of the national coronavirus lockdown and restrictions.
The athlete usually trains at a gym because of the nature of his competitions.
“We do not know what the president will say about the next stage of the lockdown, but all we can hope for is for gyms to reopen again.
“I was injured for a very long time and I thought I would get back into shape much faster.
“The coronavirus outbreak came at the wrong time, but we have to accept that and the new normal.”
Achievements
Soroseb was diagnosed with polio during childhood, which left him disabled, and later found inspiration in sport.
Born in 1979 at Omaruru, he hasn't allowed his disability to become an obstacle in his life, and competes in top powerlifting events all over the world.
He was voted the disabled sportsman of the year in 2014 after winning gold medals at the Nedbank South African Disabled Championships.
WINDHOEK
Paralympic powerlifter Ruben Soroseb has hinted at retirement after the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The athlete, who is 41 this year, will be 45 when he competes for what is set to be his last time.
He will however first have to qualify to the Games, given that he failed to qualify for Tokyo.
“Well, as one grows older, the truth is that retirement always comes to mind, but I only want to do so at the next Paralympic Games.
“I always wanted to compete in one last Games before I call it quits.”
Plagued by injuries
“It was unfortunate that I did not qualify for the Tokyo Games because I was struggling with injuries,” Soroseb said.
The powerlifter however believes he will be able to make it to the 2024 Paralympics – if he remains injury-free.
Soroseb has not been able to train for the past three months because of the national coronavirus lockdown and restrictions.
The athlete usually trains at a gym because of the nature of his competitions.
“We do not know what the president will say about the next stage of the lockdown, but all we can hope for is for gyms to reopen again.
“I was injured for a very long time and I thought I would get back into shape much faster.
“The coronavirus outbreak came at the wrong time, but we have to accept that and the new normal.”
Achievements
Soroseb was diagnosed with polio during childhood, which left him disabled, and later found inspiration in sport.
Born in 1979 at Omaruru, he hasn't allowed his disability to become an obstacle in his life, and competes in top powerlifting events all over the world.
He was voted the disabled sportsman of the year in 2014 after winning gold medals at the Nedbank South African Disabled Championships.
Classifieds