• Sport

Bronze for Namibia at tug-of-war championships

Namibia’s only team amidst a very strong field of tug-of-war ‘warriors’ managed to impress – and surprise – at the African tug-of-war championships after they upset South Africa’s future Spirngboks by beating them in the semi-final to clinch the bronze medal.
The team, that also represented the City of Windhoek in the club division, managed to dig their heels deep against the South African youth team (who already took two gold medals during the two-day competition – and who nearly beat the overall champions in the first rounds), and eventually drew the rope into the winning position twice.
The jubilation of the Namibian team members was quite evident when they realised that they had won – even though they struggled during the competition before their win.
“We just wanted to make our country proud,” captain Edwin Kotjinjo said, adding that the tug-of-war bug might have bitten Namibians now, and hopes that the country will begin sending a team or two to participate in South Africa and at other international events.
While the South African teams dominated most of the divisions for both men and women, Zimbabwe’s pack of eight in the final 720kg bout put up a show of power and discipline against the formidable South African first team, managing to retain their status as champions.

Reviving the sport
As for the clubs, the young team of Breerivier, who are mostly schoolboys (and most of who represent the South African youth team) managed to beat some of the heavier teams. According to their coach, Danie Zeeman, the crew is preparing to represent their country in the world championships soon.
The South African women also dominated all their divisions and maintained their position as best in Africa.
The organiser of the championship, Buttons Heyns, who is also the Namibian tug-of-war federation’s representative as well as a representative for the international tug-of-war federation, said he was happy with the competition, although he lamented the fact that many African teams did not show up for various reasons.
“Namibia used to be one of the best teams, and we hope that with such an event, interest in tug of war will take root and result in us becoming a nation to contend with in this sport. There is a lot of talent here; we just need to revive tug of war again,” he said.

Day 1 results
Open clubs (720kg for men): First place went to Postmasburg, second to Zimbabwe’s CBS and third to Breerivier.
Open clubs (520kg for women): Kimberley Pirates B (first), Kimberley Pirates A (second) and CBZ Zimbabwe (third).
African national championships (640kg men): South Africa Youth (first), South Africa (second) and Zimbabwe A (third).
African national championships (560kg women): South Africa A (first), South Africa B (second) and Zimbabwe (third).
African national championships (580kg mix): South Africa under-23 (first), South Africa A (second) and South Africa Youth (third).

Day 2 results
Open clubs (580kg mix): Kimberly Pirates (first), Postmasburg (second) and Breerivier (third).
Open clubs (640 men): Breerivier (first), Kimberley Pirates (second) and CBZ Zimbabwe (third).
African national championships (720kg men): Zimbabwe (first), South Africa (second) and Namibia (third).
African national championships (520kg women): South Africa A (first), South Africa B (second) and Zimbabwe (third).