Al-Qalam 
By Al-Qalam Reporter
At just 16 years old, racing prodigy Muhammad Wally is on the fast track to greatness. Muhammad is already a household name in the world of go-karting – he is racing his way to the top with an impressive collection of titles and accolades.
The Johannesburg teenager is a five-time South African go-karting champion, a four-time African champion and he has competed in over 20 international races. Recently, he returned from the UK’s PF International where he showcased his talents as the only official South African qualifier in the inaugural OK-N FIA Karting World Cup, finishing in an impressive sixth position. There, he went up against over 30 of the world’s top competitors.
With a passion for speed ignited at the tender age of four, Wally’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. And he says his love for motorsport is deeply rooted in family traditions.
“From a very young age, I’ve loved speed and had a passion for speed. My dad also really loved motorsport. I would watch Formula 1 from a young age and I really loved it. That’s what got me into karting,” he said.
He fell in love with racing the very first time he stepped onto the race track at Killarney as a four-year-old, and that set the stage for what would become a remarkable career.
“The first time I went out at Killarney with an instructor, it was amazing, and everyone was startled. During the first lap, I followed him. And then, on the next lap, I passed him immediately, and I was going at full speed. From that time, everyone was shocked because normally, anyone would follow the instructor for at least a few months or at least a year. But I overtook him, and from then my talent was realised, and I just really loved motorsport,” said Muhammad.
After discovering his passion for motorsport, he started racing professionally at just five and a half years old. By the age of eight, he had already secured his first South African championship, a feat that foreshadowed his future success.
Then, his international journey began in 2017 when he competed in his first world championship in Portugal, finishing 16th.
Over the years, Muhammad has travelled extensively to participate at global racing events and his relentless pursuit of excellence has made him a standout in a highly competitive field. Currently being homeschooled, Wally expertly balances his academic responsibilities with the demands of his racing career.
“I do home-schooling every day from the morning to 1 pm, but the days I’m on the track, I catch up on weekends. It’s not easy with the schooling, but education is just as important as my racing career, so I’m trying to juggle both,” he said.
He also completed his hifz when he was just 13 years old.
“So I’ve also got my hifz that I do in the morning and afternoon. It’s just my revision that I keep up as much as I can,” said Muhammad.
Muhammad‘s ambitions extend beyond go-karting. With sights set on the Middle Eastern Formula 4 next year, he aims to climb the ranks to elite academies such as the Ferrari Academy.
“From there, Formula 3, Formula 2 and Insha’Allah, Formula 1,” he said.
However, racing is not without its risks. Muhammad faced a significant setback when he was injured in a crash in Bahrain.
“I couldn’t walk for about a month. But thank God, I’m fine today,” he recounted.
What fuels Muhammad‘s passion for karting is the competitive nature of the sport.
“For me, it’s all about winning. I’m very competitive. That’s what takes me from point to point,” he said. His drive to excel is evident, he admits.
“If I lose, I’ll be training harder than usual to perform even better the next time around,” said Muhammad. He said his journey serves as an inspiring reminder that dreams are achievable with hard work and determination.
“I do believe that with hard work and determination, any dream can become a reality. Obviously, it’s not going to be easy, but if you are determined, you can achieve anything,” he said.
As Muhammad continues to navigate the fast-paced world of go-karting, he says he stands as a testament to what dedication, passion, and perseverance can accomplish. He wants the racing world to keep an eye on him, as he is undoubtedly just getting started on a journey that could lead him to the pinnacle of motorsport.
