Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibia made history by winning the overall title at the All Africa Water Ski Championships, hosted at Von Bach Dam, breaking a 30-year streak and outperforming South Africa.
In a statement, the Namibia Water Ski Association says that, for the first time in the history of the All Africa Championships – dating back to the mid-1990s – Namibia has emerged as the overall ‘best team.’
The Namibian squad secured 13 428.24 points, finishing ahead of a very strong South African team, which recorded 12 837.67 points.
The statement says each nation fielded its top athletes to contribute to a collective team score. It adds that the scores are a true test of versatility, calculated by comparing slalom, trick, and jump results against international benchmarks.
The association says for the first time in 16-years, Namibia proudly hosted the biennial All Africa Championships on home water.
The competition drew an international field of athletes from South Africa, Morocco, Belgium, and the United States. Alongside a formidable Namibian contingent, competitors ranged in age from eight to over 65, highlighting the sport’s diversity.
“Immense effort went into ensuring that every element, from the ski courses and technical equipment to the judging panels and boat crews, met the highest international standards,” the statement reads.
“Following years of drought, the local community successfully repaired and recommissioned the jump ramp. Its return marked the restoration of the jump event, officially elevating these championships to a full ‘three-event’ competition once again.”
The association says the triumph of these championships is a result of the unwavering commitment from sponsors and their vital contribution to the sport in Namibia.
Over the three days of high-intensity action, 46 competitors pushed their limits, resulting in a wave of personal bests and shattered records.
The standout performance came from Morocco’s Kamil Belmrah, who set a new All African Championship record in the open men slalom division, with an elite score of three buoys at 58 km/h on a 10.75m line.
Local talent also reached new heights. Ned Hannam broke the Namibian record in the under 10 boys’ trick division with a score of 900 points, while Gary Knight delivered a record-breaking performance in the over 45 men’s division, setting a new Namibian jump record of 26.4m.
Namibian athletes awarded national sport colours: Gero Knupp (athlete and team captain) Nikolai Heger (athlete), Dieter Kebbel (athlete and team coach), Cornelia Kebbel (scorer, S2), Martin Schmidt (team manager and driver, D1).
All African Champions (International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) medals)
The title of All African champion is awarded to the top-performing male and female athletes in each event, regardless of their age division.
The following skiers earned official medals from the IWWF.
Slalom ladies: gold: Angela Swain (SA), silver: Catherine Versfeld (SA), bronze: Zandria van der Merwe (Nam).
Slalom men: gold: Belmrah (Mar), silver: Simon Fairbank (SA), bronze: Robbie Alexander (SA).
Tricks ladies: gold: Swain (SA), silver: Hannah de Jongh (SA), bronze: Mila Knight (Nam).
Tricks men: gold: Dennis de Jongh (SA), silver: Luke Schmidt (Nam), bronze: Fairbank (SA).
Jump ladies: gold: Van der Merwe (Nam), silver: Adore Dreyer (Nam).
Jump men: gold: Fairbank (SA), silver: Heger (Nam) | Bronze: Gary Knight (Nam).
Overall ladies: gold: Van der Merwe (Nam).
Overall men: gold: Fairbank (SA), silver: Kebbel (Nam), bronze: Nikolai Heger (Nam).
Van der Merwe (Nam) and Fairbank (SA) took the title of overall All Africa champions.
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