Africa’s speed queen adds greatness to her achievements

As one of world sport’s blazing new talents, Christine Mboma of Namibia has emerged as an ideal role model whose charm and talent has captivated both fans of athletics and the broader pubic.

Just 18, she shot to fame at the Tokyo Olympics, winning silver in the 200m, and subsequently captured gold – and a world record - at the world under-20 championship in Nairobi.

Her difficult circumstances, which included an absent father and her disabled mother dying during childbirth in 2016, give greater context to her achievements.

“Life was not easy growing up, and my family didn’t have very much,” she told SuperSport. “I come from quite a rural part of Namibia and so life was often quite challenging. Then of course it was all very new to me when I travelled around the world.”

As one of the famous faces of African sport, Mboma is among those chosen to be celebrated in SuperSport’s “Define your Great” campaign, an opportunity for the names behind the headlines to reflect on their individual journeys through the world of sport.

The campaign gives a glimpse at what has defined these women’s paths and what drives them to forge a legacy.

Even while she had to take care of her siblings, Mboma showed single-minded drive to become a champion.

Typical role models were sparse, but she was inspired by ordinary people around her.

“There were many people in my village who had little but made the best with what they had. For me, those were my role models and people who taught me to not let circumstances define you and hold you back.”

Having discovered her athletics talent relatively recently, she has taken a shine to Frankie Fredericks, Namibia’s greatest sportsman who, like her, lit up the athletics track.

“I admire him because he showed the world that Namibians are fast! Then Caster Semenya is someone I greatly admire because she showed that you can chase your dream no matter what your circumstances. I love how humble she is while standing up for what she believes in.”

Her own inspiration comes from within.

“Rather than a person inspiring me, I just love to compete and run fast and so it is the thrill of the race that inspires me.”

Despite her youth, Mboma is already touching greatness with her extraordinary talent being recognised the world over.

Indeed, she was recently voted the BBC African Sports Personality of the Year for 2021, thus becoming the first female winner in the award’s long history.

“For me, greatness is an attitude, not an achievement,” she says. “To be great means being willing to work hard, stay focused on your goals and not let anything stop you from going after them.”

Asked what advice she might impart to her younger self, Mboma opted rather to stay in the moment.

“I would prefer to give my future self some advice: Stay humble and true to yourself. Continue to make decisions that you can be proud of, and keep learning. Remember that your worth as a person is not dependent on your athletics achievements so continue to run free and enjoy it.”

Champion words from a champion athlete.