Mental preparedness key to success – Peake

Leading up to the event, 2026 men’s masters bowls champion Steven Peake says he didn’t follow a structured routine.

Responding to questions by The Namibian Sport recently, the winner said: “With work, logistics, and family commitments, it’s not always possible. Ideally, I would like to put in at least an hour of focused practice with specific routines.

“That said, what made the biggest difference this time was my mental preparation being clear on what I wanted to achieve and how I approached the game mentally.”

He added that over the past few years his training has not changed, but his mental approach has.

“I’ve become more relaxed and clear in my thinking. Not being actively involved in the national squad at the moment has also shifted my priorities, allowing me to focus more on family, it has also helped me approach the game with less pressure. I do believe that mindset is an area that players, including those in the national setup, can place more emphasis on, as it makes a significant difference.”

Peake said handling mental fatigue during multiple high-intensity matches comes down to maintaining focus and sticking to a game plan.

“But it’s not just mental; the physical side plays a big role. Staying hydrated and properly prepared physically helps maintain concentration. If you neglect that, it will affect your decision-making and overall performance.

“The biggest lesson I learnt about myself during this tournament is the importance of belief and mental strength. Your mindset plays a major role in your results, and having confidence in your ability can make a real difference in achieving success.”

He said for bowlers aspiring to compete at masters level, his advice would be to focus on their own game.

“Know your strengths and understand how to play them. Don’t get caught up in who you’re playing next or overthink your opponent. Rather, adapt as the game unfolds. If you over-analyse beforehand and things don’t go according to plan, it becomes harder to adjust. Stay flexible, trust your game, and play to your strengths while identifying opportunities against your opponent.”

The champion said if he could go back to the start of his competitive career, he would place a much stronger emphasis on mental preparation and belief.

“That’s something that truly impacts performance and can make the difference in reaching higher levels,” Peake emphasised.

In terms of preparation, he said he kept things simple, focusing on a positive mindset and relying on his experience.

“In the final, I only really felt I had the upper hand in the last round. At that point, the situation was clear that I had only one loss, and I knew that if I won my game, I would take the title. That clarity helped me stay focused on the task at hand.”

“My mental routine during crucial ends is to keep things simple. I visualise the shot I want to play and commit fully to it. With experience, that process becomes more natural. Your focus sharpens, and executing what you see becomes easier the more you’ve practiced over the years.”

He said the conditions played a big role throughout the day because the green was slower in the morning and got faster as it dried.

“Adapting to that was crucial. Some rinks played slower than others, so I adjusted lengths accordingly, sometimes playing shorter ends if longer ones weren’t effective. My main strategy was to play to my strengths, but also to identify and target any weaknesses in my opponent’s game, particularly at certain lengths.”

“What separates a Masters winner from a good club bowler when reading the green is not as big a gap as people might think. It really comes down to experience.”

He said he played on different surfaces and conditions at various venues, which gave him the ability to adapt faster.

“A good club bowler can definitely reach that level. It’s just about gaining that exposure and learning how to adjust.”

“In terms of pre-shot routine, I keep it very simple. It’s about sticking to the basics and finding a rhythm. Consistency in your delivery and your line is key. Most players have their own routines, but for me it’s about stepping onto the mat, visualizing the shot, and then committing to it. The biggest thing is not to overthink.”

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