Namibia brings home 7 medals
Aili Iilonga
MULTI-TALENTED kareka, Fredy Mwiya, has won the only gold medal for the Namibian Karate team at the just ended 9th Commonwealth Karate Championships, held in Durban, South Africa.
The teenager, who is the son of Sports Commission’s Chief Administrator Freddy Mwiya, shined at the games, leading the medal pack of the team Karate Namibia.
The Namibian Karate team of 43 participants took part in the four-day tourney in the hopes of being crowned Commonwealth champions. The tournament consisted of both the Commonwealth Cup consisting of the Under 14 years, veterans and masters’ divisions and the Commonwealth Championships which included the Cadets, Juniors, Under 21 and Seniors categories.
Stefan van der Merwe, spokesperson of the Karate Union said that since its inclusion into the 2020 Olympic Games, there has been tremendous growth in karate worldwide and to many the Commonwealth Karate Championships are seen as one of the highest platforms for elite level karate participation.
He said that the Namibia Karate Union secured 6 Commonwealth Bronze Medals and 1 Commonwealth Gold at this year’s tournament.
Ané Olivier, Requelle Rickerts, Carlo Amia , Suzelle Pronk and Stefan van der Merwe, all won bronze medals in Kumite.
“These athletes have proven that Namibia Karate is not only ready to compete against some of the best in the world but also achieve at an elite level.
The Namibia Karate Union would like to congratulate all of its athletes on their achievements at this year’s Commonwealth Karate Championships; you have made your country proud,” he said.
