Bezuidenhout, Du Toit crowned champions of Davin tourney
Tennis
The recently concluded Davin Junior Tournament saw rising tennis prodigies Joanivia Bezuidenhout and Henlou du Toit crowned champions of the U25 women’s and men’s singles categories, respectively.Held at Olympia’s Central Tennis Courts in Windhoek, the Namibia Tennis Association (NTA) highlight event, in collaboration with the Janine and Suzelle Davin Sport Trust Fund, drew 74 entries across the U10 to U25 age groups from the Erongo, Otjozondjupa and Khomas regions.
Because there are not enough players for a full U18 draw, organisers added the U25 category to give U18 players stronger competition and ranking opportunities against older players.
U25 winners
The women’s singles were contested in a round-robin format. Bezuidenhout won all her matches in straight sets, beating Johanna Sikondo and Vilma Johanna 6-0, 6-0. Nandi Masina was drawn in the section but did not compete. Vilma Johanna advanced by walkover against Sikondo to secure second place.
In the doubles, Emma Brinkmann and Secilia Nghitewapo opened with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Juliana Figeretu and Johanna Sikondo, before falling 6-2, 7-5 to top seeds Hilya Campbell and Natalia #Ouses, who had received a bye in the first round.
The men’s singles were also played in a round-robin format. Du Toit overcame his only rival, Jaden van der Westhuizen, in a tense three-setter, recovering from a slow start to win 0-6, 6-2, 6-2. Stephan Koen was drawn in the section but did not compete.
In the doubles, Du Toit teamed up with Van der Westhuizen to edge Joanivia Bezuidenhout and Larushka Kruger 6-2, 6-4.
U16 winners
Girls singles: 1. Natalia #Ouses [1], 2. Secilia Nghitewapo [2], 3. Emma Brinkmann [3].
Boys singles: 1. Dante Marcus, 2. Tadiwa Mombeyarara [2], 3. Gabriel Gurirab [1].
Doubles: 1. Dante/Mombeyarara, 2. Lazarus Kanelombe/Kondjeni Shivande [1], 3. Breyton Bezuidenhout/Gurirab.
U14 winners
Girls singles: 1. Elrica Nakusera [1], 2. Niamey Marcus, 3. Milan de Lange [4].
Doubles: 1. Albertina Johannes/Marcus, 2. Emelia Coetzee/Anna-Lien Kannemeyer.
Boys singles: 1. Shafishina Shimali [3], 2. Breyton Bezuidenhout [1], 3. Emilson Ngola [4].
Doubles: 1. Pameni Paulus/Shimali, 2. Eric Pretorius/Ngola, 3. Joshua Diergaardt/Jappie Jappie.
U12 winners
Girls singles: 1. Janice Bezuidenhout [1], 2. Madison Hoff [2], 3. Tana Tana.
Doubles: 1. Bezuidenhout/Hoff [1], 2. Sirkka John/Apple Shuro, 3. Tonata Shikololo/Tana.
Boys singles: 1. Jasper Coetzee [1], 2. Joshua Diergaardt, 3. Zephan van der Westhuizen [2].
Doubles: 1. Coetzee/Marcel Diehl, 2. Nicholas Buys/Van der Westhuizen, 3. Roberto Mazumo/John Mubita.
U10 winners
Girls singles: 1. Adele Buys, 2. Chloé Esterhuyse, 3. Irene Kavangu.
Boys singles: 1. Ilana Aisindi [1], 2. Pwoove Paulus [2], 3. GJ Visser.
Doubles: 1. Visser/Aisindi [2], 2. Kunomundu Kavari/Paulus [1].
Honouring Davin sisters’ legacy
Tournament director Larushka Kruger said the event honours the legacy of the Davin sisters, Janine and Suzelle, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident in 2006.
“Suzelle and Janine were excellent tennis and hockey players. NTA hosts the Davin tournament every year to celebrate their achievements and contributions to sport, ensuring their legacy lives on,” she said.
“We want our younger generations to learn about the Davin sisters and carry the country’s name with pride, just like the two sisters did. They were a true inspiration to our younger generations.”
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