Gymnasts secure national selection after trials
The Namibian Gymnastics Federation (NGF) hosted its first national trial series of the year for the artistic gymnastics section and trampoline and tumbling discipline in Windhoek last weekend.
Held at Olympia’s Crete Gymnastics Club, the event served as the selection platform for the African Championships scheduled for April and May in South Africa.
Gymnasts from Crete, Chalk Gymnastics and Tsumeb Gymnastics competed in women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG), men’s artistic gymnastics (MAG) and trampoline.
WAG selected athletes
In the WAG division, five seniors and two juniors representing Crete met the minimum qualification requirement of a 40.00 all-around average across vault, uneven bars, beam and floor to secure provisional national selection.
Anne-Leen Thorburn led the senior field with an all-around score of 43.7, followed by Tyesha Humphries (40.7), Jonie Thorburn (40.2), Sureshni Andrew (40.08) and Ngaitjitue Handura (40.01).
In the junior section, Mila Barnard topped the standings with 40.4, ahead of Jané Strauss (40.1).
Rhythmic section coordinator Nadine Jaeger described the trials as a strong start to the season and emphasised that the next two months of focused preparation will be key ahead of continental competition.
“For many of these athletes, this will mark their very first international experience, which is an exciting milestone as they begin their journey on the international stage.”
MAG selected athletes
In the MAG division, senior gymnast Immanuel Kooper of Crete achieved the required 60.00 minimum across all six apparatus, while junior gymnast Zenidine Maziane of Tsumeb Gymnastics also met the execution standards required for national team selection.
Under MAG qualification criteria, gymnasts must attain a 60.00 combined score when competing on all six apparatus, with execution deductions not exceeding the prescribed limits when specialising.
Jaeger said the discipline and preparation shown by both athletes reflected their readiness for continental competition.
Trampoline trio secure places
In the trampoline discipline, junior gymnasts Jessica Schlabitz, Isanrie Dreyer and Victoria Jansen, all from Chalk Gymnastics, successfully met the three technical requirements set by the selection committee to earn national team places.
Jaeger highlighted the strong sportsmanship displayed across all disciplines.
“The standout moments were undoubtedly the exceptional sportsmanship and the determination shown by each gymnast. Their refusal to give up, even in high-pressure moments, reflected true resilience and character,” she said.
She added that although it is still early in the season and not all individual apparatus goals have been fully achieved, the performances at the trials indicate that the athletes are on track ahead of the African Championships.
The national team delegation includes WAG and MAG team manager Petra Thorburn, MAG coaches Morihei Anderson and Djamel Meziane, and WAG judge Jaeger. Anderson and Meziane also serve in judging roles for the MAG division.
