After School Centre wrestlers win 16 medals at Big 5

Namibia’s After School Centre Wrestling Club returned with 16 medals, including nine gold, from the recently concluded Johnnie Reitz Big 5 Wrestling Tournament hosted by the South African Wrestling Federation.

The tournament attracted about 1 200 wrestlers competing across various age groups and wrestling disciplines. The Namibian wrestlers also added six silver and one bronze medal across the junior, under-17, under-20 and senior divisions.

Junior medal haul

In Greco-Roman wrestling, Nathen Vleermuis won gold in the under-11 division, while Twakulilwa Haimbodi and Granville Swartz topped the under-12 and under-15 categories, respectively.

Heikki Haimbanga took silver in the under-eight division, George Haimbodi finished second in the under-nine category, and Steven Setson added another silver in the under-15 division.

The club also claimed two freestyle gold medals through Jasmine Gaweses and Laura Theron in the under-13 category.

Senior success

Petrus Haimbodi added another Greco-Roman gold in the under-17 division, with Lisias Shipopyeni taking silver in the same age group. At the under-20 level, Calvin Dryer won silver while Paulus Alweendo secured the club’s only bronze medal of the tournament.

After School Centre also enjoyed a strong return in the senior Greco-Roman competition. Joel Iipinge, Virill Cliff and Devin Bernhard all won gold, while Teofelus Iipinge finished with silver.

Coach recognised

The club’s Coach Luis Forcelledo Paz was also presented with a tournament trophy in recognition of the wrestlers’ performance in the senior category during the 2025 edition. Paz praised the athletes for the work they had put in leading up to the tournament.

“These results are a reflection of the dedication and hard work our athletes put in every day. We are proud of every wrestler who stepped onto the mat and represented the club with courage, discipline and sportsmanship,” he said.

“Their achievements inspire younger athletes and demonstrate the growing strength of wrestling development in Namibia.”

The tournament also presented the Elephant Trophy to its senior category champions. According to the organisers, the Big 5 tournament rotates its theme annually around the rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard.

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