Erongo reigns supreme in boxing championship

Shaldon Johannes
The second edition of the National Amateur Boxing Championship produced 102 action-packed fights involving female and male boxers over three days in Swakopmund, including 13 final bouts.

The tournament saw over 130 boxers from 12 regions compete for a place in the Namibian national amateur boxing team at the Multi-purpose Centre from 23 to 25 March.

Boxers from Erongo continued their dominance at the event by collecting 43 points – five gold and six silver medals – and securing first place.

The Erongo Region was well-represented, with 11 boxers in action against opponents from other regions in the 13 final fights. The Khomas Region followed in second position with 26 points (five gold medals and one bronze medal).

The Uniformed Forces (boxers from the navy, army and correctional services) finished in third place on 13 points.



Strong competitors

Namibia Boxing Federation secretary-general Petrus Kushango explained that the final Namibian team will consist of eight female and 13 male boxers.

"From this group, we will select four female and eight male boxers to travel to Botswana for a training camp and the Five Nations Tournament. We would have loved to take the whole team, but this depends on the availability of funds. On the plus side, we will have a very strong group of reserves to call on should a situation arise that requires us to do so."

The Namibian boxers will also be in action at the Zone 4 Games scheduled for June in Mozambique.

"They will compete at the African Championship in Ghana in August and are ultimately preparing for the qualifying round of the Olympics, which will take place in France in 2024."



Join hands

Boxing coach and selector Kenneth Mutara lamented the fact that many of the boxers had to fight up to three fights in the space of two days. "We seriously need to look into extending the Namibia Boxing National Championship by another day or two, and in order to do so, we need funding. The prevailing scenario is unfair and puts some fighters at a disadvantage. Our referees also need attention in terms of their accreditation and fitness."

Mutara also encouraged businesses from the ?Karas region to support boxing and ensure that boxers from the area attend the next national amateur tournament.

"There is no shortage of boxing talent in Namibia, and we must join hands to develop the potential at our disposal."



Final match results



Mirjiam Nghilongwa from Khomas defeated Hevelina Shuudifonya from Erongo in the Elite Woman 42 kg-54 kg weight class.

Elifas Iimene of Khomas defeated Nanyalo Tadeus of Ohangwena in the Elite Male 46 kg - 48 kg weight class.

Lazarus Heita of the Uniformed Forces defeated France Shoombe in the 48 kg - 51 kg weight class. The fight was stopped after Shoombe sustained a cut underneath his left eye.

Johannes Trofimus from Oshana defeated Erik Erik from Erongo in the 51 kg - 54 kg weight class.

Tryagain Ndevelo from Erongo defeated Viano Hango from Khomas in the 54 kg - 57 kg weight class.

Elifas Shailemo from Unfiomed Forces defeated Petrus Uuwanga from Erongo in the 57 kg - 60 kg weight class.

Divas Uushona from Erongo defeated Sakaria Kandjambanga from the Uniformed Forces in the 60 kg - 63.5 kg weight class.

Jonas Lukas from From Erongo defeated Martin Tuyoleni from Hardap in the 63.6 kg - 67 kg weight class.

Martin Kambaili from Erongo defeated Sinoka Sakaria from Kavango East in the 67 kg - 71 kg weight class.

Petrus Festus from Khomas defeated Amon Josua from Erongo in the 71 kg - 75 kg weight class.

Melissa Sekera from Khomas defeated Bianca Nawina from Oshikoto in the Elite Women 63 kg - 66 kg weight class.

Phillip Heveleni of Khomas defeated Elvin Nghishekwa of Erongo in the 75 kg - 80 kg weight class

Gerhard Iipinge from Erongo defeated Israel Amunyela from Oshana in the 80 kg - 86 kg weight class.