Liqui Fruit Winter Classic crowns champions

The Deutscher Turn- und Sportverein (DTS) Liqui Fruit Beach Volleyball Series opened with the Winter Classic on Saturday, where new champions were crowned at the DTS Beach Volleyball Arena in Windhoek.

The tournament attracted 39 teams across the two-a-side sections and six teams in the four-a-side division, with organisers saying the event stood out as a celebration of competition, camaraderie and community involvement.

“We witnessed [competitive displays] from a strong field of teams. At the same time, the event brought a more relaxed and social atmosphere to the day.

“Enhancing the atmosphere even further was the generous N$20 000 prize pool sponsored by Liqui Fruit, which added an extra layer of excitement,” organisers said in a statement.

The senior men’s section saw last season’s winners, brothers Max and Jura Krafft, claim gold once more after beating arch-rivals Simeon Ndaxula and Teodor Thomas 2-0 in the final.

The bronze medal was shared by the pairs of Panashe Chiguta/Kudakwashe Mahachi and Aloisius Ishitile/Messah Kambala.

The senior women’s section had new champions in Maike van Doorn and Carmen Curschmann, who beat Pia Lück and Nadia Böhm 2-0 in the final to claim the title.

Bronze went to Albertina Mathew and Lameesh Haris.

Other champions

Boys’ U19: 1 Tumeritino Lebereki/Lazarus Kamati, 2 Leander Mueller/Felix Stamer, 3 Matheus Nahenda/Nathanael Ndemukulunga.

Girls’ U19: 1 Isabella Dafner/Lena Putzler, 2 Lisa Hess/Stella Hamm, 3 Daria Stoessel/Hadassah Swartz.

Four-a-side: 1 Only The Family (OTF), 2 Lefa Legends, 3 Smack Attack.

Acknowledgements

The organisers extended gratitude to Liqui Fruit for its continued commitment to supporting the development of beach volleyball in the country.

“We also thank Joachim Schuckmann at Namibia Beach Volleyball Hub for providing the registration and scheduling platform. We are equally appreciative of the players, coaches, parents, supporters and volunteers.

“Their passion and effort played a vital role in making this year’s Winter Classic a successful day. With plenty of exhilarating moments on the sand, we look forward to growing the sport and elevating the presence of beach volleyball throughout the country.”

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