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Goliath, the giant

Elizabeth Joseph







Born and raised in Windhoek, Romio Goliath started wrestling when he was 10.

Being part of the After School Centre Wrestling Club, the ministry of gender equality and child welfare sponsored most of his wrestling career in conjunction with the ministry of sports, youth and national services for the African Championship this year.

He also got funding from the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC).

Before, Goliath had no external funding and has been actively looking for sponsors that would make it easier for him to plan and prepare for international competitions.

“I have no private sponsors and thus would welcome companies to get involved as it is very difficult without funds to prepare for international competitions,” he said.

Goals and Aspirations

Goliath said his main goal is to win gold at the Olympic Games one day and his primary goal at the moment is to qualify for the African Oceanic Olympic qualifiers for the Games that will be hosted in Tokyo this year.

“I am a first-year senior and most of the athletes I will be competing against are in their last year senior category, so I foresee tough competition, but I will strive to give it my best.

“Other than wrestling, I matriculated last year and I am planning to study towards a degree when I get the funds to do so,” he further mentioned.

Goliath said he started wrestling because of the acrobatics practiced during training. As a young boy, being able to do a backflip or front flip was “next level” and he wanted to be able to do that.

During that process is when he developed a love for the sport. He also saw his friends who were at the centre travel and the benefits and opportunities the sport can have.

“Having one of the best coaches in the world and my dream to go to the Olympics is all I need to prepare. In 2014, I wanted to go to the youth Olympics but I unfortunately didn’t go for the qualifications and now it is the big one in Tokyo this year,” he said.

What is wrestling all about?

Wrestling is a combat sport involving grappling techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and take-downs, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds.

The sport can either be theatrical for entertainment, or competitive. A wrestling bout is a physical competition between two (or occasionally more) competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position.

There are a wide range of styles with varying rules with both traditional, historic and modern styles. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into other martial arts as well as military hand-to-hand combat systems. It is an individual combat sport and your number one opponent is yourself, with self-discipline and a sound mind being vital in and out of competition.

People may not know this but Goliath is a great singer, but he said most of the magic only happens in the shower.