Windhoek: For many athletes, success is measured in medals and podium finishes, but for 23-year-old Namibian sprinter Charley Matundu, wearing his country's colours on one of the biggest stages in world sport, is victory. Matundu is part of Team Namibia's 24-athlete squad competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, having qualified to represent Namibia in athletics.According to Namibia Press Agency, the Games marked his debut on the international stage, where he lined up alongside fellow first-time competitors and seasoned athletes, all chasing Commonwealth glory. Speaking to Nampa after his men's 100m heat, Matundu admitted the race did not unfold as he had hoped after being drawn in one of the outside lanes.'The race was a bit challenging because I was in the outside lane. The view inside was also a bit challenging. I didn't have a good start, but I got the confidence as the race progressed, and hopefully, I'll just go back to training and give my best for future events,' he said.Alt hough his campaign in the 100m ended in the heats, Matundu refused to dwell on the disappointment, choosing instead to reflect on the significance of representing Namibia at the Commonwealth Games. 'For me, representing my country is already a win on its own. Making it to the Commonwealth Games is already a win on its own. It doesn't matter even if I didn't make it to the finals or didn't get any medals,' he said.The young sprinter described his selection as a milestone that many athletes aspire to, but few achieve. Rather than defining his career, he believes the experience of competing against some of the world's best will provide invaluable lessons and motivation for the future. 'I'll just go back to training, put in more effort and come back stronger. My focus is on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics,' he said.With the Olympic Games now firmly in his sights, Matundu views the Commonwealth Games not as the destination, but as an important stepping stone towards an even greater ambition. He is expected to re turn to the track on Wednesday for the heats of the men's 200m at Scotstoun Stadium.