Open Athletics Yields Great Results

Almost 600 athletes competed in the Footworx Open Athletics Championships, hosted by the Athletics Development Club in Swakopmund.

The three-day championship was described as an extraordinary event by local coach and organizer Hennie Horn.

“The athletes showed exceptional talent. We bettered a lot of standing records. There were also a lot of South African athletes, such as from Boland, going for gold. We are very happy with the outcome and the results!”

Notably, local youngster Juwan Kok who bettered yet another record by setting a new International Age Group World record in the high jump by improving it from 1.06m to 1.07m and also broke the International Age Group World record for Standing High Jump from 0.78m to 0.80, for boys 6 years old.

Stefan Strydom also broke the International Age Group World record for shot put for boys under 11 with a 5 kilogram weight from 8.85m to 9.85m.

Additionally, 150 athletes were accommodated in the training camp that preceded the athletics championships.

“For next year, we want to go bigger. Responsibly. Boland indicated that they want to bring in more athletes going forward. We also want to bring in more para-athletes and others to ensure inclusivity.”

Horn also explained that one of the goals is to reintroduce pole vaulting at the next championships.

“It used to be big in Namibia, and if you look at our country and across the African continent, the biggest challenge is equipment. Plans for next year also include reintroducing pole vault, a challenging endeavor due to the high costs of equipment. For pole vault, it’s very expensive – just the pole alone. So who’s going to buy it? The parents? And the thing with the mats: If you look at mats for pole vaulting, quality mats, you will pay almost half a million.”

Medal count for the championships stood as follows:

1. Athletics Development Club (84)

2. Going 4 Gold - SA (63)

3. Private (73)

4. Boland Athletics - SA (39)

5. Windhoek Gymnasium Athletics Club (52)

6. NSSU - Ohangwena (28)

7. Laerskool Walvisbay (86)

8. Ohangwena Athletics Club (44)

9. QSB (21)

10. Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (19)

11. Tsaraxa-Aibes ASC (29)

12. Athletic Club Otjinene (14)

13. Otji Athletics Club (12)

14. Ongwediva Run Along Athletic Club (6)

15. Swakop Striders (13)

16. Dome Athletics Academy (7)

17. Pro-Ed (5)

18. Acacia Athletics Club (7)

19. Nampol Athletics Club (8)

20. University of Namibia (5)

21. Olympia Throws Academy - SA (3)

22. Tsire Athletic Club (11)

23. Kalkeld Athletics Club (7)

24. Windhoek Gymnasium (2)

25. Dynamic Athletic Club (6)

26. Rehoboth Athletics Academy (5)

27. Tsumeb Gymnasium (7)

28. Midstream Athletics Club - SA (5)

29. Easi Sports Academy (2)

29. Laerskool Mooirivier (2)

31. Walvisbay Athletics Club (2)

32. Golden Cheetah Athletic Club (3)

33. Moria Private School (3)

34. SCM Sport Club Magdeburg (2)

35. DNLFA (1)