Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA is guaranteed at least a silver medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after boxer Tryagain Morning Ndevelo produced a sensational upset to defeat defending Commonwealth champion Jude Gallagher of Northern Ireland and book his place in the men’s 60kg final, while Mischa Monique Araes and Philip Pumulo Haoseb secured historic bronze medals for the country.
Ndevelo delivered one of the biggest victories of his career on Friday night, defeating 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jude Gallagher by a 3-2 split decision in a gripping semi-final.
He added that the result demonstrates Namibia’s fighting spirit. “When you’re Namibian, we don’t get knocked out, we win. This is proof of that. I’m proud of my teammates, proud of myself and grateful to everyone who has supported us. Back home, thank you for your prayers. They are really working.”
Photos: Namibia National Olympic Committee
The victory sends Ndevelo into the gold medal bout, where he will face India’s Sachin Sachin, while also guaranteeing Namibia at least a silver medal.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for Ndevelo, who competed at both the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games but fell short of reaching the medal rounds.
Speaking after the victory, an emotional Ndevelo credited years of hard work and perseverance for his success.
“Hard work and dedication brought me here. I worked hard day and night for this prize. This is my third Commonwealth Games. The first one I came up short, the second one I ended where I did, but today I have gone one step further,” he said.
Ndevelo said he entered the ring believing victory was possible.
“I told my coach before the fight, ‘Coach, we’re going to get this one.’ Finally, my words came true. Your prayers are really working. One down, one to go. It’s not over until it’s done. I’m not stopping here. I want to go home proud after representing my nation.”
Meanwhile, Mischa Monique Araes saw her remarkable campaign come to an end in the women’s 51kg semi-finals after the referee stopped the contest in the second round.
Despite the defeat, Araes made history as Namibia’s first female Commonwealth Games boxer and secured a bronze medal, becoming one of the country’s pioneering female medallists at the Games.
Philip Pumulo Haoseb also claimed bronze after narrowly missing out on a place in the men’s 55kg final, losing a hard-fought semi-final by unanimous decision to India’s Jadumani Mandengbam.
Haoseb’s podium finish adds another medal to Namibia’s boxing campaign and caps an impressive run that showcased the country’s growing strength in the sport.
With one boxer through to the gold medal contest and two bronze medals already secured, Namibia’s boxing team has delivered one of the country’s strongest Commonwealth Games performances, continuing to fly the national flag high on the international stage.
