Adonis-Byl takes Namibia to Worlds judging table
Namibia has taken another seat at the international rhythmic gymnastics table after Britt Adonis-Byl became the country’s first judge to officiate at the Senior World Championships, adding to last year’s historic first at the Junior Worlds.
The Namibian Gymnastics Federation (NGF) rhythmic gymnastics president reached the latest milestone at the 42nd Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Frankfurt, Germany.
Her appointment came just over a year after she became Namibia’s first rhythmic gymnastics judge at the Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Speaking to Sport Wrap, Adonis-Byl said the magnitude of entering territory no Namibian judge had occupied before has yet to fully sink in, further admitting: “I am not sure if it ever will.”
“There is something about walking into these spaces as the newbie, where I constantly have to remind myself that we are actually on the same level,” she said.
What keeps her going is the bigger picture of knowing that she is creating a space for future Namibians to have a seat at that international table.
History alongside history
Adonis-Byl’s two Worlds judging assignments have coincided with milestones for the country’s gymnasts.
Her first in Sofia saw Kayla Duchaine become Namibia’s first-ever gymnast to compete at the Junior Worlds, with the country awarded the New Stage Award by World Gymnastics in recognition of the feat.
Two months later, Emilia Ekandjo ended Namibia’s decade-long absence from the Senior Worlds when she competed at the 41st edition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, becoming the country’s first representative at the senior event since Nicole Bierbach in 2014.
Ekandjo returned for a second consecutive appearance in Frankfurt this month. Namibia’s athletes and officials increasingly finding their way onto the biggest stage in the sport is something Adonis-Byl believes is possible with sustained exposure.
From the carpet
Long before she sat at a World Championships judging table, Adonis-Byl was on the carpet herself. Her journey began at the age of eight, which many consider relatively late to take up rhythmic gymnastics.
She still remembers going home from school and telling her late mother, Anita Adonis, about something she had seen that day and wanted to try.
“The journey has been completely unbelievable. Never in a million years did I think that [this sport would] become my life. It has taken many setbacks, many tears, but also countless wonderful experiences,” she recalled.
Those experiences took Adonis-Byl to the African Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, where she represented the country in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002.
She also won the junior national title in 1999 before adding back-to-back senior crowns in 2001 and 2002. She remains Namibia’s only athlete-turned-coach in the rhythmic discipline to have achieved that national treble.
More than two decades later, Duchaine matched the three-title tally when she won the junior national title from 2023 to 2025 before moving into the senior ranks.
Adonis-Byl eventually transitioned into coaching and administration when she founded Infinity Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in Walvis Bay, where she continues to serve as head coach.
Witnessing what the sport can do for young people is one of the reasons she has stayed close to the carpet. “Seeing that I can make a difference in young people’s lives [keeps me going],” she said.
Earning the Brevet
Getting to a World Championships judging table has required its own years of development.
As reported by this publication, Adonis-Byl travelled to South Africa in March 2025 for the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Brevet judges’ examination, which she later passed, allowing her to officiate at FIG-sanctioned competitions.
She admitted she continues to learn from other judges in the trade, including Norway’s Marie Moltubakk. “I always reach out to [Moltubakk] if I have questions,” Adonis-Byl said.
She indicated that judging at the highest level is not without its challenges and “the pressure is immense,” especially when it involves athletes she admires.
“The challenge is always to remain impartial and fair despite your personal admiration. You hold the future of an athlete in your hands by the decisions you make. [We, nonetheless,] officiate according to the Code of Points to uphold integrity,” she said.
Reaching the judging table is only valuable to Adonis-Byl if the knowledge gained there returns with her. She believes the country needs regular international exposure if its gymnasts are to narrow the gap to established rhythmic gymnastics nations.
“Education for judges and coaches is also essential, and we as a federation are constantly striving towards educating our stakeholders. I try to share as much knowledge as possible with all stakeholders, even with the gymnasts themselves.”
‘Funding, funding, funding’
Knowledge and willingness, however, cannot put a gymnast on an international flight. Asked what continues to hold the country’s rhythmic gymnastics back, Adonis-Byl did not hesitate.
“Funding, funding, funding,” she said. “We do not have the funds to travel to events.”
The federation is consequently seeking corporate support to create more opportunities for its gymnasts and officials.
Namibia is set to host the Senior African Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships next year, an opportunity that would bring continental competition closer to home.
The country will also host the African Trampoline Championships in 2028, which will serve as an Olympic qualifying event on the road to the Los Angeles Games.
Adonis-Byl hopes her contributions will leave “a legacy of success through inclusion and openness for learning.”
