Namibia wrestling team show promise at African Continental Championships
The Namibian wrestling team delivered a commendable performance at the African Continental Championships in Alexandria, showcasing determination, technical growth and a wave of promising young talent across multiple divisions.
In the U17 Greco-Roman category, Lisias Shipopyeni (55kg) stood out with an impressive silver medal. He displayed composure and technical sharpness, defeating opponents from Tunisia on points and South Africa by technical superiority before falling to a strong Egyptian opponent in the final.
Petrus Haimbodi (60kg) also impressed in Greco-Roman, finishing fourth in a competitive field of seven wrestlers, narrowly missing out on bronze after a tightly contested bout against South Africa.
In freestyle, Henrico Durand (60kg) placed seventh in his debut African Championships. While he did not reach the podium, the experience gained is expected to play a key role in his development.
At U20 level, Namibia fielded a competitive group. Calvin Dreyer secured fourth place, showing consistency throughout the tournament. Stefanovic Stephanus, competing internationally for the first time, defeated South Africa and also finished fourth, underlining his potential. Lazarus Haimbodi (63kg) faced a difficult draw and exited early but demonstrated resilience despite the setback.
The senior division produced a mix of challenges and standout performances. Lazarus Haimbodi rebounded strongly from his U20 campaign to claim a bronze medal, highlighting his ability to compete at a higher level.
Joel Iipinge (55kg, Greco-Roman) began well with a victory over South Africa but later lost to eventual gold and silver medallists from Egypt and Algeria, reflecting the calibre of opposition.
Virinao Nguatjiti (60kg) endured a tough start but produced one of the tournament’s most notable upsets, defeating Algeria’s Abdelkarim Fergat — a four-time African champion and two-time Olympian — 4–2 on points in his final bout. The victory underlined his fighting spirit and potential.
In the senior women’s 59kg division, Ester Kavelishimwe Abraham delivered a standout performance, securing a silver medal after reaching the final, where she lost to a strong Nigerian opponent. Her achievement reflects dedication, resilience and growing stature on the continental stage.
The team’s progress was credited to the leadership of national head coach Luis Forcelledo Paz, whose structured approach and commitment have driven development over the past year. Assistant coach Kevin Vleermuis was also praised for his valuable contribution to preparation and athlete support.
Overall, Namibia’s performance signals steady progress and increasing competitiveness in African wrestling. With multiple silver medals, a bronze and several near-podium finishes, the team demonstrated both current capability and encouraging future prospects.
The championships provided a vital platform for Namibian wrestlers to test themselves against elite opposition. With valuable experience gained and young talent emerging, the team can look ahead with confidence as they continue building towards future international competitions.
