GABORONE – Namibia’s young athletes were among the medal collectors when the curtain closed on the weeklong Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) All Africa Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana on Saturday.
Namibia’s Jean-Paul Burger won the triathlon competition, leaving South Africa’s Le Roux and Saunders to pick up the pieces for silver and bronze medals respectively with compatriot Herbert Peters finishing in a strong 4th position.
Burger emerged from the water in 2nd place with Wikus Saunders leading the pack but quickly took the lead together with South Africa’s Saunders and the pair finished the cycle leg with Le Roux close on their heels.
In the run, the young Namibian triathlete dominated the proceedings – gaining a lead of 1 minute 30 seconds on Le Roux with Saunders falling back to 3rd finishing a further 55 seconds back.
In the boxing discipline, Namibian boxers added to the team’s medal tally with two more silver medals after Titus Kaluwapa walked away with the silver medal in the light welterweight (64kg) category, after losing in the final against Algerian opponent Semchedine Kramou. Oshakati-based Kaluwapa defeated Joao Tavares of Ivory Coast to reach the finals.
In the welterweight (69kg) category, Max Ipinge claimed Namibia’s second silver medal after losing in the final bout to Mohamed Hikal of Egypt after punching his way to the final against Laurenzo Lecerf from Mauritius.
Golfer Caro Els delivered a silver medal in the ladies golf competition after the young golfer from Swakopmund finished the first day of the competition tied in 2nd place, with compatriot Jessica Dreesbeimdieke having a score of 75 after 18 holes, only two points adrift of leader Naomi Wafula from Kenya.
Day two saw the Namibian golfer showing exceptional performance with 73 shots, going into the last day of competition in the leading position. However, Els surrendered the lead on day three and had to be satisfied with 2nd place behind Nigeria’s Anita Uwadia who left the Namibian two shots adrift.
Els’ (16) overall nett score was 229, with Kenyan Naomi Mafula settling for bronze on 233. Dreesbeimdieke ended the competition in a respectable 5th position with Kasoma Paulino settling for 11th overall finish in the men’s event.
– olympic.org.na
By Staff Reporter