Beatrice Masilingi

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Beatrice Masilingi is a Namibian sprinter who competes in the 100m, 200m and 400m. She was born on 10 April 2003 in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, and was raised by her grandmother. She studied at Grootfontein Agricultural College and trains with the Quinton-Steele Botes Athletics Club under coach Henk Botha.

Masilingi has quickly risen to prominence. In 2019 she won four gold medals at the Cossasa Games in Eswatini and soon broke several national records. She posted very fast times in 2020 and 2021, including 50.42 seconds in the 400m (late 2020) and 49.53 seconds (April 2021), making her one of the fastest junior competitors ever in that event. Her personal bests include around 11.2 seconds for the 100m, 22.18 seconds for the 200m, and 49.53 seconds for the 400m (all achieved in 2021).

At the Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), Masilingi finished sixth in the 200m final after reaching the final with teammate Christine Mboma. She did not compete in the 400m at Tokyo due to World Athletics rules about testosterone levels in athletes with certain intersex conditions, a decision following medical assessments that showed elevated testosterone levels in both Masilingi and Mboma.

Earlier in 2021, at the World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, she won silver medals in both the 100m and 200m, and was part of the 4x100m relay team.

Masilingi’s rapid rise also led to opportunities off the track, including a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma.