Childhood best friends rising as a close-knit team

Max Krafft and Luca Kesselmann, two rising stars in Namibian beach volleyball, are making waves both on and off the court.

At just 18 years old, the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS) learners have already made a name for themselves on the international stage.

Their fifth-place finish at the U19 Africa Nations Beach Championship in Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year earned them a spot at the FIVB U19 World Championships in China, where they faced top-level competition.



Background

Reflecting on their respective journeys, Kesselmann shared that he began playing the sport at a young age, influenced by his father. After taking a break to focus on football while living in Germany, he returned to volleyball in 2021.

“Volleyball presents more opportunities to reach greater heights compared to other sports in the country. But I still cherish memories from participating in FC Bayern’s Talent Day, which helps me even today,” he said.

Krafft, who took up the sport in 2019, explained that he was drawn to volleyball because it’s exciting and requires minimal equipment. “My first tournament in Swakopmund, where I played with my brother, was an eye-opener and it motivated me to improve.”



First FIVB medal

Krafft and Kesselmann's participation in the Zone 6 Circuit has taken them to Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa. They are particularly proud of winning their first FIVB bronze medal at a Zone 6 tournament hosted at DTS earlier this year.

“The DTS Zone 6 tournament earned us a lot of points! Last year, we represented the country at the U21 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship in Morocco, although we were only 17 years old then,” they said.

Despite challenges at the U19 World Championship, including Kesselmann falling ill and their placement in a highly competitive pool, they see these experiences as opportunities to grow.

“Training harder, both physically and mentally, is key to coming back stronger,” Kesselmann said.

Krafft reckons there is only one way to handle challenges, indicating that “training consistently leads to improvement with more and more experience. It’s all about repetition and hard work,” he noted.

On the court, the duo support each other by celebrating points and sharing feedback. Off the court, their bond as childhood best friends strengthens their teamwork.

“I admire Max’s jumping ability and blocking,” Kesselmann said, while Krafft praised Kesselmann’s dedication to training and consistency.



Future objectives

Looking ahead, their goals include winning more Zone 6 medals and potentially qualifying for the 2028 Olympics. Within the next year, they hope to compete in both the U21 African Championship and the U21 World Championship.

When not playing volleyball the duo enjoys spending time with friends. Kesselmann enjoys playing pool, while Krafft spends time in nature and enjoys other sports like soccer and spike ball.

The duo credits their coach, Conrad Johannes, for shaping their playing style and harnessing team chemistry. “Conrad’s belief in us and his kind-hearted behaviour off the court has been instrumental in our success,” they agreed.

Both players draw inspiration from Swedish beach volleyball duo David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig, whose innovative style has influenced their own game.

In life, Kesselmann looks up to his mother, who taught him to always be grateful for what he has, while Krafft admires his father for instilling discipline and a positive attitude.

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