At just 21 years old, Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos has emerged as one of Botswana’s most formidable talents in motocross and cross-country racing. With a riding style that combines the grit of a seasoned veteran and the vision of a champion, Mamaloukos has already secured multiple national titles, including the 2022 Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) Best Rider award, after clinching both the MX2 motocross and OR3 cross-country championships.
Raised in a motorsport-inclined family, Mamaloukos began racing at the age of three, inspired by his older brother, an ex-motorsport champion. His dedication to the sport is evident not only in his competitive achievements but also in his commitment to nurturing the next generation of riders through his training academy.
Beyond the national circuit, Mamaloukos has represented Botswana in international competitions, such as the Motocross of African Nations (MXOAN), where he served as team captain in 2023. His aspirations extend to competing in prestigious events like the Dakar Rally, reflecting his ambition to elevate Botswana’s presence in the global motorsport arena.
Mamaloukos’s journey is a testament to his resilience, discipline, and passion for motorsport. As he continues to break new ground, he not only cements his legacy in Botswana’s racing history but also paves the way for future generations of riders. We caught up with him to know him a bit better.
Early Beginnings and Inspiration
- Introduce yourself to those who don’t know you
Hi guys, My names’ Kosmas Mamaloukos, born in Botswana 11th November 2003 and raised here as well. I did my primary at Gaborone International School following was my JCE at SSKM and lastly my high school in Ledumang Senior Secondary. I have been racing throughout this time having started riding at 2 and a half years and had my first race at 3 on a Conti 50cc motocross bike. I’m currently 21 and race a 250 4 stroke in the MX2 (motocross) and OR1 (X-Country) categories respectively.
- You began racing at the tender age of three. Can you share what ignited your passion for motocross at such a young age?
At the age of 3 I barely knew much about the riding as it was a new thing for me and I could say it was purely driven by my dad alongside my uncle Johnson. They were the guys running around the track when I had training wheels, all the crashes, bike maintenance etc. obviously with the support of my mother too. So basically them keeping the momentum in the early days is what has kept me going throughout and they are who I look to make proud first at all times because they are the reason I can even ride a motorcycle.
- Your older brother, an ex-motorsport champion, played a role in your journey. How did his influence shape your early experiences in the sport?
Adding onto influence has to definitely be my older brother and sister, they’ve both raced in their days in the era of young Ross Branch and had their fair share of good glory days and they have driven me to keep pushing because if it was all possible for them then I can do just as good. My brother had set the bar for me and now being at his level and hopefully better going forward I can say surely he’ll be proud too when we one day tackle the races overseas.
Career Milestones
- In 2019, you secured second place overall in the BMS National Off-Road Championship. How did this achievement impact your confidence and career trajectory?
Like any other athlete, we compete to win, the expenses in this sport are high so every-time we get on the motorcycle we want to win and missing the championship due to mechanical faults on the last event was devastating, however, this created the fire inside to strive to fight and work harder to go ahead and contend harder to get the wins in the upcoming years that followed.
- Winning the OR3 class in the cross-country series and the MX2 class in motocross in 2022 marked a significant milestone. What challenges did you overcome to achieve this?
It’s a milestone man!!!!! A big achievement for me, my family and Bokomo Botswana because we have been at it since 2016 when I was on a Yz125 and even had the struggles of building engines in the evening between days in the hopes to finish. We have struggled and it has taken a strong mental toll, but those days of solitude in the gym kept me going because I knew in me I had the capability just my machinery was letting me down.
All thanks to Bokomo Botswana and Zebra Funding Athletes Program for giving me the opportunity to have the latest motorbikes, to be able to compete at the best level and not have to worry that my machine will let me down and with all the joint efforts a milestone has been achieved, one of many to come.
Training and Discipline
- Balancing rigorous training with other commitments requires discipline. Can you describe a typical day in your training regimen?
Discipline is super key and it’s the only thing that keeps me in check especially at my age with all the catalysts around me. A typical day for me is 6am after dropping my siblings off at school and hit the 1hr30min session in the gym and carry on with other commitments, be there a free slot in the evening I will add another session with light exercises and we repeat this routine about 5 days a week.
- You’ve mentioned the importance of time management, especially during the week. How do you ensure you stay on track with both your training and personal life?
Time management is key especially as a young adult maneuvering life too, its key to balance everything. I NEED to do and everything I WANT, to do it with everyone being happy at the end of the day. My hand watch is my best friend. The slight OCD I have allows me to attend things with diligence and have them done correctly no matter how small or big the task.
Challenges and Resilience
- Motorsport in Botswana faces challenges like limited recognition and funding. How have these factors affected your journey, and what strategies have you employed to navigate them?
Funding is the biggest issue we have here as the sport is not as big and is entirely expensive as a whole. People have a tendency of comparing it to other sports but we are different, for simple insight; a pair of Gaerner SG12 boots that I use is P12 000.00 and the FOX V3RS HELMET is P10 000.00, already money to buy a second hand car. So finding sponsors is hard especially since Covid-19 as businesses were highly affected.
It’s such an extremely dangerous and demanding sport, yet even at the level I am at, I don’t even get a salary from it. I have been privileged enough to have had some strong companies on board starting in 2015 when I got my first brand new motorbike sponsored once off by Botswana Tourism there after Money-Wise & Tala Loans was my full time sponsor up until they collaborated with Bokomo Botswana in 2016.
They purchased me a YZ125 thereafter we parted ways in around 2018. Bokomo Botswana has been carrying me throughout till date. Around 2019 I had a few smaller sponsors onboard including Caltex Hillside which sponsored my fuel for the race and vehicle for the races. After 2 years we parted ways too due to slump in business because of Covid-19.
- Injuries are part of the sport. You’ve experienced broken ribs, a shoulder injury, and torn lower back muscles. How did you cope with these setbacks, both physically and mentally?
Injuries cannot be dodged small or big! My shoulder, broken ribs are the biggest, all thanks to being young and fit I healed up fast and they happened when I was young hence minimal effect mentally. My lower back muscle injury was from 2019 Desert Race, biggest crash of my career and that’s the one that had a small dent on me mentally but years later I am going strong again.
In the years between I have had small injuries like 2 fingers broken on my right hand and as well as sprained muscles on the left ankle. We are strong, fit and recovered and I maintain the fitness and haven’t had any big injuries although I have had a lot of crashes in between.
Vision and Aspirations
- You’ve expressed a desire to compete in outdoor motocross championships in Europe and aim for the Dakar Rally. What steps are you taking to realize these goals?
We are slowly but surely working on ways and approaching stakeholders to support the vision of doing a few series like the motocross nationals in New Zealand, Australia and across the world. As much as it is a vision amongst many and many fans, my main aim is not Dakar Rally as it’s not directly in my line of interests and discipline.
I am a motocross athlete at first, a profession that causes confusion amongst many as they don’t know the multiple disciplines under motorcycling that have world championships that are of the same magnitude as Dakar Rally, examples include MXGP (World Motocross Championship), World Enduro Championship etc. and these are all world champions just like Ross Branch was a World Rally Champion as it’s his discipline.
- How do you envision the future of motocross and off-road racing in Botswana, and what role do you see yourself playing in its development?
I see it growing FAST, there are many kids joining the sport, from teenagers to adults and it’s really improving very fast. I seek to assist the future generations and give back as much of the skills I have learnt hopefully to have many future champions like myself, we have new clubs and new styles of hosting races and different training activities to improve athletes in the country as well as BNSC providing programs like the Zebra Funding as well as Elite Scholarships programs. I opened a motorcycle training academy as of January 1 2025 and have had various clients as well as a few that have started riding from scratch. We are recruiting slowly but surely and all are welcome.
Personal Insights
- Beyond racing, you’ve shown interest in project management and entrepreneurship. How do these interests complement your career in motorsport?
I have very big interests in entrepreneurship and business as well as new ideas to capital generation considering how technology plays a big role in this era. The Mamaloukos Training Academy is an academy made with the intention of teaching beginners and improving current riders while also looking to build it in the business aspect to compliment the costs of riding.
Alongside the academy, I also have a personal interest in Forex Trading which I have been doing for 2 years now and have Ivorea Holdings, as a driving force to build my empire with the vision to empower new generation of tech-gurus.
- Music, proper nutrition, and a positive attitude are essential for you on race days. Can you delve into how each contributes to your performance?
Being a Gen-Z in the 21st century we are driven by social media, but I use it in a way that it has positive impact as well as motivation hence Music is a very essential aspect daily and on race day. Music calms me, and grows the burn in me on race day and helps me derive the tunnel-vision I need to focus throughout the time on the saddle. Proper nutrition is the most important, my nutrition is based on my research, advice and testing as I do not have a nutritionist to have me on a strict diet.
So, I follow what I know also remembering the guidelines from WADA that deal with anti-doping. Good meals, a clear mind, healthy and fit body are key to a good race day, most importantly your body being nutritioned throughout the time on the bike because you lose a lot of fluids and calories.
Advice and Legacy
- For young aspiring riders in Botswana facing similar challenges, what advice would you offer to help them pursue their dreams?
Don’t give up lads, seek support and never be ashamed of your struggle, walk up to companies, drop off requests and profiles that are detailed. Attend races to gain recognition and get access to various people in the scene that know the struggles that can help and also guide you in the right direction. I am available on all social media platforms for you to contact for any advice you may need as a youngster.
- Looking back on your journey so far, what legacy do you hope to leave in the world of motorsport?
I hope the day I hang the boots, I would have made not only my country, sponsors, family, friends, supporters proud—but most importantly when I sit down old and retired, I will never regret swinging my leg over the saddle. I hope the kids will remember me for the true grit, determination and discipline I carried alongside the dedication I had no matter how bad things were for me or how the race day turned out. Make positive out of the bad times, bad times don’t last forever, o tla phela mfana!!!!!
For updates about his activities follow Kosmas on his Facebook Page
