Elite Namibian karateka target Glasgow
The Namibia Karate Federation has officially confirmed its elite squad for the 12th Commonwealth Karate Championships taking place in Scotland, with four battle-ready athletes and two top coaches departing today to compete against premier international talent in Glasgow.
Four stellar karateka at the Glasgow International arena, competing across both Kata and Kumite disciplines, the team aims to establish a powerful competitive presence against the Commonwealth's finest martial artists.
The selected quartet are Keanu Stuurman (senior kata), Phillip van Antwerpen: (senior kumite), Julio Mwiya (senior kumite) and Freddy Mwiya Junior (senior kumite).
Guiding the national team from the sidelines will be head coach Warren de Jager and assistant coach Nathan Goliath, whose combined tactical expertise and strategic preparation have primed the athletes for peak international performance.
High-octane conditioning,
revolutionary preparation
Beyond technical dojo training, Team Namibia implemented a dynamic physical regime combining high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with low-intensity steady-state (LISS) recovery through full-body functional workouts at F45 Training.
These high-energy circuits optimized cardiovascular stamina, functional strength, agility, and joint mobility vital elements for explosive kumite exchanges and crisp kata execution.
Beyond physical conditioning, the collective physical grind forged unbreakable group synergy ahead of their competition.
Preparations were further bolstered by cutting-edge sports science following insights from a recent coaches’ workshop at the University of Namibia (UNAM).
“The foundation of this team is built on hard work, discipline, and sweat,” stated head coach Warren de Jager. “The UNAM workshop introduced modern assessment protocols and progressive training concepts that revolutionized how we structure sessions and track performance in real time. We leave to make Namibia proud and show the world what our nation is made of.”
Springboard for regional expansion
The Commonwealth outing forms a vital foundation for the federation's long-term competitive strategy.
Immediately following their return from Scotland, the NKF will shift focus toward the upcoming AUSC Region 5 Youth Games scheduled for December in Maputo, Mozambique.
The high-performance momentum generated in Glasgow ensures Namibia’s rising youth division will enter regional competition sharper and stronger, securing a bright future for domestic karate development.
