Written by Trackandmemes, on July 2, 2026
Over the years, La Louvière Athletics Club,ACLO, a vu passer quelques pépites. Parmi elles, on peut compter le cadet Maïko Limelette. Classified in the middle-distance category, our young athlete, just 14 years old, has managed to break into Belgium's top 10 in his age category in the indoor 1000 metres, with a performance of 2’ 55’’ 08, placing him directly in 8th place.
Already the Hainaut Champion in cross-country, Maïko is fully committed to the sport he is passionate about. He enjoys pushing his limits, improving with every training session, and giving his very best in competition. Athletics has taught him discipline, perseverance, and the value of hard work.
How did you get started in athletics ?
I started athletics at the age of 8 because I wanted to try something new, and I absolutely don't regret that decision! I quickly fell in love with training, even the toughest sessions. At the age of 10, I took part in my first competition—a 1000-metre race. I'll never forget that race because I earned my very first podium finish. That was the moment I realized I wanted to go as far as possible in this sport.
What are your goals ?
In the short term, I'd like to keep improving. I have a competition on July 4, where I hope to beat my personal best of 17 seconds.
In the long term, I hope to compete at the Olympic Games, and I'm convinced I'll get there. I plan to compete there one day, keep improving every single day, and above all, represent Belgium at international competitions.
How is your season going ?
At the moment, my season is going really well. In October, I joined a new training group, which has allowed me to make tremendous progress in a very short period of time.
To begin with, during the cross-country season, I won the Hainaut Championships. During the indoor season,indoor, I ran my first 1000 metres of the season and broke my personal best of 10 seconds, which allowed me to become the which made me the 7th best Belgian runner in my age category in 2026.
The outdoor season has only just begun. I first competed in my first 800 metres in 2 minutes and 12 seconds, then my first 1500 meters at the Interclubs. The race was very slow and tactical, which didn't allow me to achieve the time I was aiming for. I then took part in an international competition, where I improved my personal best in the 800 metres, running 2 minutes and 9 seconds. Finally, I won the 3 km Mont Blanc Cross Country Race.
The season is still far from over, and I'm preparing for many more competitions with the goal of continuing to improve and break my personal bests.
What is your relationship like with your coaches ?
I have a great relationship with my coach, Raymond Castiaux, whom I joined in October. Since I started training with him, I've made tremendous progress in a very short period of time. He's a very experienced coach, particularly known for coaching Élise Vanderelst.
He believes in me, pushes me to give my very best, and helps me improve every single day.
I also have a second coach, Jean-Luc De Sutter, with whom I have a great connection. We get along really well, and I know I can always count on him. My two coaches complement each other perfectly, and I'm incredibly grateful for everything they bring to my development. Thanks to them, I truly enjoy every training session, and they motivate me to go as far as possible in my athletic career.
In your opinion, what has enabled you to reach this level ?
I believe I've reached this level thanks to my consistency, my nutrition, my determination, and the hard work I put in every day. But I also owe a great deal to my coaches and my friends. They've always supported me and given me valuable advice that has helped me improve. Without them, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today.
Did you choose middle-distance running, or did middle-distance running choose you ?
I'd say middle-distance running chose me. I started athletics at a very young age, and at first I didn't really have a specific event. I also followed in my sister's footsteps, as she had started this journey before me.
My older sister, Maëna, is 17 years old. She is also one of the country's top athletes in her age category, with an impressive personal best of 2 minutes and 23 seconds in the 800 metres. My little sister, Léona, is 11 years old and is also performing at a very high level. We are always there to support each other at our competitions. Being able to share this passion as a family is a real strength.
Little by little, I realized that middle-distance running was the event that suited me best. Today, it has become a true passion. I'm incredibly grateful to Maëna, because without her, I might never have discovered this sport.
How do you handle the pressure of competition ?
Middle-distance races are mentally very demanding. The hardest part is before the start, during the warm-up, because that's when I think about all the hard work I've put into training and wonder whether my legs will be ready. During the race, it's also a real challenge because you never know how you'll respond or how your competitors will race. Middle-distance running is extremely competitive, and the athletes you face are incredibly tough. That's exactly what makes every race so exciting and pushes me to always give my very best.
If your natural abilities allowed it, would you choose to be a 400/800m runner or an 800/1500m runner ?
The 400m and the 800m are two events that complement each other very well. Racing a 400m a week before an 800m is excellent preparation because it helps develop speed. Even so, I would choose the 800m and the 1500m without hesitation. Those are the two events where I feel the most comfortable and enjoy myself the most. I want to keep improving over those distances and work every day to reach the highest level possible.
How do you balance school and athletics ?
This year, I'll be starting my third year of secondary school.It's not always easy to balance school and athletics, but I do my best. My training sessions take place right after school, so I use my free time to do my homework before heading to practice. That allows me to train with a clear mind, fully focused and relaxed. I'd also like to thank my family and friends for their incredible support. Without them, balancing school and high-level sport would be much more difficult.
Who is your favorite athlete ?
My favorite international athlete is Mo Farah. I watched the Netflix series about him, and ever since then, he has been a huge source of inspiration for me. Whether it's the way he trains, his mindset, or even his shoes, I try to draw inspiration from his journey to keep improving.
In Belgium, my favorite athlete is Pieter Sisk. He is a true role model for me. My goal is to one day break all of his records in my age category and follow in his footsteps. I'd also like to thank him, because he is a tremendous source of motivation and inspiration for me.
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