Rising stars shine at SA national senior championship
The Namibia Aquatics Sports Federation proudly shared the achievements of its athletes at the South African National Aquatic Senior Championship 2026, held in Gqeberha recently.
Across five days of competition, the three swimmers demonstrated resilience, talent, and national pride, breaking records, earning medals, and standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Olympic champions.
Day 1 – Strong opening
Keila de Oliveira (16) earned a silver medal in the women’s 100m backstroke multi‑class (1:39.78, 220 points).
Seventeen-year-old Jessica Humphrey improved her best time in the women’s 100m backstroke Open B final (1:03.91), finishing 10th overall.
Day 2 – All three in finals
Humphrey set a new Namibian long-course record in the women’s 50m backstroke A final (29.54).
De Oliveira contested the women’s 50m freestyle multi‑class final with determination, while 17-year-old Luke Beukes raced in the men’s 100m butterfly B Final, holding his own against South Africa’s fastest.
Day 3 – Records and podiums
Humphrey finished top 40 in the women’s 100m freestyle.
Beukes placed fifth overall in the men’s 100m freestyle, setting a new Namibian long-course record.
De Oliveira claimed a bronze in the women’s 50m butterfly multi‑class.
Day 4 – Breaking barriers
Humphrey, on her 18th birthday, finished top-20 in the women’s 50m freestyle.
Beukes delivered a historic swim in the men’s 50m freestyle A final, finishing fourth overall with a new Namibian long-course record (22.71).
De Oliveira placed top five in both the women’s 50m backstroke multi‑class and women’s 100m freestyle multi‑class.
Beukes finished in the top 25 in the men’s 50m butterfly (25.55).
Humphrey reached the women’s 200m backstroke A final, securing seventh overall (2:21.73).
De Oliveira concluded her debut campaign after earlier podium success.
NASFED's trio of swimmers proved their mettle against elite competition. With two medals, multiple national records, and consistent finals appearances, they have elevated Namibia’s profile in aquatics and inspired the next generation of swimmers.
The Namibia Aquatics Sports Federation celebrates these achievements and looks forward to building on this momentum as it prepares for future international competitions.
