WINDHOEK – The north African countries of Egypt and Libya displayed some brilliant performances as they dominated much of the recurve division during the first day of the Bank Windhoek African Youth Archery Championships underway at the DTS Sports Grounds in Windhoek.
Although the Championships, which started on Monday, include both the recurve and compound categories, only the recurve division is an Olympic discipline. The two top finishing countries in this discipline at the competition will each qualify one archer for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China later this year. During the qualification and ranking round in the recurve cadet men’s division on Monday Ali Elghrari of Libya made the first place, followed by the two Egyptians Ahmed Shamseldin and Seifeldin Elsehely. Namibia’s only competitor, Xander Reddig, came in fourth. It was however enough for Reddig to qualify for the elimination round that started yesterday.
In the recurve cadet women’s division, Hana Elshimy of Egypt took top honors ahead of teammate Rana Kamel and Kpetchehoue Zinsou of Benin. The ladies will now battle it out for the African title and a ticket to China. Meanwhile, there was a display of some fine archery in the recurve men and women’s development divisions. The winners of these divisions will not be crowned African Junior Champions this time, but the aim is for the youngsters to gather much-needed experience for other upcoming international events. Medals will however be awarded to the respective winners.
The men’s division was dominated by Seydouba Bangoura of Guinea with Banbin
Nguelet of Chad in second and Namibia’s CF Brandt in third place. Princillia Fangbi of the Central African Republic made first place in the ladies division, followed by Mama Sylla (Guinea) and Stephanie Alaina (Chad). Also, the Namibian compound delegation battled it out among themselves in their respective divisions. Since only the recurve division is an Olympic discipline, all other African countries opted not to send their compound archers, allowing Namibia to take the African title without competition. In the qualification compound junior men’s division, Ruan van Staden was the only athlete to compete, gaining 679 points. Elisabeth Taljaard came first in the compound cadet women’s division, followed by Hanné Snyman and Quinn Reddig. The first place in the compound cadet men’s division went to Mynhardt Beukes, followed by Hendrik van Eeden in second place and Sebastian Fechter in third.
By Staff Reporter