Namibia’s top archers set new records at Indoor Nationals

Record participation
Adam Hartman
  • 7 Hours Ago
Swakopmund this past weekend hosted Namibia’s biggest indoor archery competition since 2019 as the Archery Association of Namibia (AAN) held its Indoor Nationals for Target and Field Archery at the Swakopmund Football Club.

AAN vice-president Jacqueline Coetzee said the event saw the strongest turnout in years.

“This year’s participation across all competitions was the largest since 2019. We are very grateful for all the newcomers who joined this season,” she said.

National records were broken, including a new mark by Jannie Meuwesen, who improved the national record for Compound Men from 297 out of 300 to 299 out of 300.

“The atmosphere and the helpful, positive attitude from everyone were remarkable,” Coetzee said, adding that several records were also improved during the Indoor IFAA competition.

The championships attracted about 27 archers from across Namibia, competing in categories from Cubs to Veterans, and included five para-archers on the line — three of them new participants.

“It was also the first time that para-archers took part in our Indoor IFAA competition,” Coetzee noted.

She acknowledged that the event came with logistical challenges.

“All the equipment and butts had to be moved indoors from our outdoor range, and we are only a handful of members. Fortunately, the SFC staff assisted us, and members from other clubs also helped to lay out and set up the range. Teamwork makes the dream work,” she said.

The Field Nationals crowned champions across multiple divisions, with gold medals going to archers including Sven Kriel, Alex Kriel, Alvin Iita, Danette Pretorius, Jannie Meuwesen, Evan Meyer, Babette Taljaard, Moritz Hoff, Marion Hubner and Lutz Wahlers.

In the Target Nationals, major victories included Jan-Lotz du Toit (Compound Open Men), Danette Pretorius (Compound Open Women), Janko du Plessis (Under-15 Compound Men), and Liane Mostert (Barebow Under-15 Women).

Coetzee said Namibia now awaits combined regional results with South Africa and Zimbabwe to finalise the Southern Regional Indoor Championship standings.

The next major events on the calendar are the Khomas Year-End Field Shoot at Yellowstone (Windhoek) on 22–23 November and the Target Year-End Shoot in Swakopmund on 13–14 December.