Namibia snatches silver at Zone IV
Namibia’s Carmen Curschmann and Maike van Doorn clinched a silver medal at the fifth edition of the CAVB Zone 6 Beach Volleyball Tour (Leg 4).
The international event, hosted at the Mole in Swakopmund from Thursday to Saturday, brought together top regional competitors across both the men’s and women’s divisions.
The three-day tournament saw athletes from ten SADC countries battle for the championship title, with Namibia’s female team leading the host nation’s medal count in a high-stakes final.
Women’s Division
In the women’s championship decider, Curschmann and Van Doorn faced off against Mozambique’s powerhouse duo, Nadia Bango and Verónica Carlos Roque. Despite a courageous effort on the sand, the Namibian pair fell 2-0 (21-10, 21-11), concluding an impressive tournament campaign with a hard-earned silver medal.
“We were both incredibly nervous and excited going into the final,” the Namibian pair reflected after the match.
“Not only was it our first final at a Zone VI tournament, but we were also facing a very strong team. We are extremely proud of the level of volleyball we were able to play against them.”
The duo, who had finished second at the national Bank Windhoek Open just a weekend prior, had to overcome fellow countrywomen Nora Rogl and Isabel von Wietersheim in the semifinals. Rogl and von Wietersheim ultimately finished fifth, further showcasing Namibia’s growing depth in the sport.
“Playing the semifinal against Rogl and Von Wietersheim was tough,” Curschmann and Van Doorn added. “What made it even more nerve-wracking was the fact that they are our training partners, and they played at an exceptional level.”
Looking ahead, Curschmann and Van Doorn are scheduled to compete at the DTS Liqui Moly Spring Open on September 19, followed by the final Zone VI leg at the end of the month, along with several additional local tournaments before the year concludes.
Men’s Division
The men’s division delivered equally intense regional action, with Angola’s Carlos and Afonso claiming the gold medal following a straight-sets victory (21-13, 21-12) over South Africa’s Danilo von Ludwiger and Kemoloile Otsweleng.
Namibia’s top-performing men’s duo, Max Krafft and Jura Krafft, spearheaded the local effort by advancing to the bronze medal match. They finished fourth overall after dropping a hard-fought two sets (15-21, 18-21) to Mozambique’s Jose Mondlane and Denilson Sitoe.
Also highlighting the local contingent, the pair of Simeon Ndaxula and Thomas Teodor battled through a competitive field to tie for eighth place.
The tournament’s overall results highlight the expanding footprint and international competitiveness of Namibian beach volleyball on the regional stage.
“Namibia winning silver is a testament to our growth and the commitment of our athletes,” said Tobias Mwatelulo, president of the Namibia Volleyball Federation. “It earns us valuable FIVB ranking points that are crucial for our international standing,” he added.
