Weakley closes school chapter with inaugural Prestige Award
Archery
Burton Weakley has become a household name in African Genesis Archery (AGA) Namibia, amassing 219 medals and a record three national titles since he began shooting seven years ago at the age of 11.Now 18, Weakley is in the twilight of his school career at Windhoek High School, signing off as the most decorated archer of his tenure with the inaugural Prestige Award at the 10th AGA Namibia Nationals last weekend.
The award, reserved for matric archers, celebrates outstanding achievements throughout an AGA career and will be presented annually to the most decorated school-going archer.
Across 73 competitions, Weakley averaged three medals per shoot, including 156 gold, 36 silver and 27 bronze. He claimed the national champion title in 2022, 2023 and 2025.
AGA Namibia’s Golden Boy
Weakley’s gold medal tally has also earned him the Golden Boy award, recognising the archer with the most gold medals in a season. First awarded to him in 2020, he reclaimed it in 2022 and has held it through his final season (2022 to 2025).
He has also dominated the national ranking leaderboard since 2022 and was recognised as the top-performing boy archer in 2023 and 2025.
Other honours include three major accolades in 2019 and 2020: Best Junior Boy, junior champion and junior Bullseye leader.
In 2024, he broke Willem Lottering’s longstanding eight-year 3D record of 294, improving it to 295. His first award came in 2018 when he was named Most Improved Archer.
International accolades
Weakley’s achievements extend beyond Namibia. He has made the national team every year since 2020 and has served as captain since 2021. He was selected this year to captain the African team against Canada at the AGA World Tournament, where Namibia became world champions for the first time.
At the 2024 Africa Archery Tournament, he won silver in 3D and bronze in Bullseye, finishing third overall.
Reflecting on his career, Weakley said: “It’s an amazing feeling to achieve all these titles. I’m very thankful that God gave me this talent, which has allowed me to realise my dreams. These accolades were my goal when I started archery.”
Getting into archery
Weakley credits his father, Poenie, for introducing him to the sport, though it took some time for him to take to it.
“I didn’t want to do it at first, but I’ve come to fall in love with it over the years. Archery is an amazing sport that teaches countless positive traits,” he said.
He describes his final AGA Nationals as the most memorable.
“Winning all those titles [boys’ senior champion, top performing boy archer, national champion, leader of Namibian rankings, Golden Boy and Prestige Award] will be a memory I won’t forget!
“It feels very emotional to close this chapter, which has been a huge part of my life. But I’m excited for what lies ahead and can’t wait to take on a new challenge.”
Weakley considers 2017 champion Willem Lottering, whose 3D record he broke, an idol. “He inspired me to push for records that stood in his [Lottering] name,” he said.
When not on the shooting line, Weakley enjoys the outdoors and spending time with animals and family.
“It helps me unwind because stress and overthinking are your worst enemies in this sport.”
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