Namibia boxes its way to three Commonwealth medals

Namibia concluded its 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign with an impressive haul of three boxing medals, several national swimming records and encouraging performances across athletics and bowls.Namibia’s one silver and two bronze medals placed them second among the Southern African Commonwealth nations behind South Africa and fifth among African nations at the Games.Boxing proved to be Namibia's standout sport, with Tryagain Morning Ndevelo claiming a historic silver medal in the men's 60kg division after narrowly losing 3-2 on points to India's Sachin Sachin in the final on Saturday.The bout was evenly balanced before a decisive knockdown with the final punch of the contest swung the judges' decision in favour of the Indian, who helped his country top the boxing medal table with a record seven gold medals.Although he fell just short of gold, Ndevelo capped an outstanding tournament after reaching his first Commonwealth Games final. Before the title bout, the experienced Namibian reflected on the journey that had brought him there."Hard work and dedication brought me all the way. I worked hard day and night for this prize," he said."The first Commonwealth I came up short, the second I reached the quarter-finals, and now I'm in the final. Don't give up until you're proud."Other boxing medalsNamibia also celebrated two bronze medals through Philip !Haoseb and Mischa Monique Araes.!Haoseb reached the men's 55kg semi-finals before losing to India's Jadumani Singh Mandengbam. Afterwards, he dedicated his medal to everyone who supported his journey, thanking the Namibia National Olympic Committee, his coaches, mentor, team manager and teammates."Without them we wouldn't have won this bronze medal. I'm just grateful," he said.Araes also made history as the first Namibian woman to compete in boxing at the Commonwealth Games. She marked the milestone by winning bronze in the women's 51kg division before encouraging more young girls to take up sport."This is an example that nothing is impossible for a female doing any type of sport. If you put your mind to it, your heart into it and stay disciplined, you can accomplish anything," she said.Swimming standout performersNamibia's swimmers were among the country's standout performers, repeatedly rewriting the national record books throughout the Games.Jessica Humphrey set new Namibian Open and 17- to 18-year-old age-group records in the women's 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, and 100m backstroke, reaching the semi-finals in both backstroke events. Her 50m butterfly time of 26.33 seconds also erased a national record that had stood since 1996.Oliver Durand established new Namibian Open and 17–18 records in the men's 100m and 200m butterfly, while Luke Beukes reached the semi-finals of the men's 50m freestyle and also set new Namibian Open and 17–18 records in the 50m butterfly. Ronan Wantenaar qualified for a Commonwealth Games final, while José Canjulo recorded a personal best in the men's 200m breaststroke.Namibia's men's 4x100m medley relay finished eighth, while the 4x100m freestyle relay placed ninth, set a new national record and finished as first reserve.Athletics, Bowls top performersIn athletics, Lionel Coetzee qualified for the men's long jump final with a leap of 7.66 metres to finish 11th overall, while Ryan Williams placed eighth in the men's discus throw final with a best effort of 55.37m.Sprinter Charley Matundu advanced through the heats in both the 100m and 200m, while Elvis Gaseb finished 21st overall in the 400m.Namibia's bowlers also produced several encouraging performances. Amanda Steenkamp and Diana Viljoen recorded notable victories over Malta, South Africa and India in the women's pairs competition, while Viljoen finished 16th overall in the women's singles. Waylon Wentzel placed 21st in the men's singles and teamed up with Ronald Steenkamp to finish 12th in the men's pairs.The Games also marked Namibia's first appearance in artistic gymnastics as a team. The young quartet finished 10th overall, gaining valuable international experience as the programme continues to build towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games.With three boxing medals, numerous national swimming records, finals appearances and encouraging performances across several sporting codes, Team Namibia leaves Glasgow with renewed confidence and a strong platform for the next Olympic cycle.– brian@nsh.com.na

Namibia boxes its way to three Commonwealth medals

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Republikein 2026-08-03

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Namibia boxes its way to three Commonwealth medals

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