Team Namibia took second place in the 18th edition of the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Karate Federation Championships that was held at the MTC Dome Namibia in Swakopmund from 20 to 21 June.
Namibia ended the competition with an impressive haul of 106 medals – 21 gold, 27 silver, and 58 bronze.
Team South Africa triumphed at the championships, and successfully defended their title.
The South Africans dominated the two-day competition, collecting a total of 99 medals, of which 42 were gold, 25 silver and 32 bronze in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Botswana finished in third place with 39 medals, of which 11 were gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze. Angola took fourth position with 23 medals – seven gold, eight silver and eight bronze.
Mozambique collected one gold and one bronze medal, ahead of Zimbabwe, who managed a single gold medal, while Zambia garnered four silver and four bronze medals.
Karatekas from Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola competed in both kata and kumite styles.
Team Namibia was represented by 149 athletes, with the youngest competitor aged 10 years, while the most seasoned member was 35 years old.
Freddy Mwiya, the chief administrator of the Namibia Sports Commission and one of the country’s finest karatekas, attended the two-day event and expressed pride in the Namibian team.
“Namibia collected 106 medals over two days. I can’t remember the last time Namibia ranked number two in the region. This is the result of your hard work. You reap what you sow. We are no longer participating; we are competing,” he said.
The championship highlighted the growth and competitive spirit of karate in the region, showcasing the talents and dedication of athletes from multiple nations. The event was not only a platform for regional camaraderie, but also a testament to the rising standards of martial arts in Africa, with the athletes set on qualifying for the upcoming Olympic Games.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na