Botho Losaba, a 17-year-old skateboarder from Soweto, South Africa, is set to represent his country at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. His journey to the Games began in his neighborhood, where he watched local skateboarders practicing near a free Wi-Fi zone. Losaba's interest in skateboarding was fueled by videos on TikTok and other social media platforms. His father, Butike Losaba, bought him his first skateboard, and he quickly progressed, landing his first kickflip, a trick that made his progress feel real.
Losaba's determination and progress have been guided by his coach, Sharne Jacobs, who has worked with him for nearly three years. Jacobs notes that Losaba skates naturally, making tricks look effortless and picking up new ones quickly. Losaba's mother, Diane Modise, says that skateboarding has become more than a sport for her reserved son, giving him a sense of freedom and relief. Despite the lack of a skatepark near their home, Losaba travels to a park in another area, a 45-minute journey, to practice after school.
To balance skateboarding with his studies, Losaba trains for an hour to an hour and a half during the week and extends his sessions to about four hours on weekends. His mother recalls the challenges of watching him learn, but also the fun and progress he made. Losaba's qualification for the Youth Olympic Games carries significance beyond his achievement, as it shows young people from his community that they too can reach a big stage.
In March, Losaba competed in the WST Skateboarding World Championships in São Paulo, Brazil, to gain ranking points towards qualification for the Youth Olympic Games. Dakar will be his second international competition. His coach, Jacobs, believes that Losaba's participation will inspire young people from Soweto to pursue their dreams. Losaba understands the responsibility that comes with representing his country and hopes to perform well in Dakar.
Losaba's ambitions extend beyond the competition, as he hopes to inspire young people who don't believe in themselves. He is already thinking beyond Dakar, with his sights set on becoming a world champion. Losaba says he knows one day he will be a world champion and is committed to practicing hard to achieve his goal. His journey is an inspiration to many, showing that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
Losaba's story is a testament to the power of skateboarding to transform lives. For him, skateboarding is about more than learning tricks; it gives him a sense of freedom and happiness. His mother says that skateboarding has helped her son to open up and find his voice. Losaba's participation in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is an opportunity for him to share his passion with the world.
As Losaba prepares to take on the world in Dakar, he is focused on making the most of the experience. He hopes to make his country proud and inspire young people from his community to pursue their dreams. With his natural talent, determination, and guidance from his coach, Losaba is ready to make a name for himself in the world of skateboarding.
Key points
- Botho Losaba is the first skateboarder from Soweto to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games.
