Top gymnasts honoured at NGF annual awards

Gymnastics
Mariud Ngula
  • 4 Hours Ago

The Namibian Gymnastics Federation (NGF) hosted its annual awards ceremony last weekend, celebrating exceptional performances, dedication and achievements across its various disciplines during the past season.

Awards were presented to gymnasts from Trampoline and Tumbling, Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Gymnastics for All (GFA), and the newly recognised Parkour discipline, honouring their hard work and commitment throughout the year.

In a statement issued yesterday, the federation described the event as a memorable evening.

“It was filled with pride, recognition and appreciation. Congratulations to every gymnast who was nominated and received awards. Your commitment and passion for the sport are truly inspiring,” the statement read.

The NGF further expressed pride in the athletes who represent the federation and continue contributing to the growth of gymnastics in the country.

The award recipients were as follows:


Trampoline and Tumbling

Level 1 to 3: Emilee Feris (trampoline), Eleanor Dukhie (double mini), Emilee Feris (tumbling).

Level 4 to 6: Tatjana Hoebel (trampoline), Matthias Nel (double mini), Chalton Ipinge (tumbling).

Level 7 to 10: Etienne Nel (trampoline), Jessica Schlabitz (double mini), Victoria Jansen (tumbling).

Age categories: Eleanor Dukhie (pre-junior), Gerhardus Engelbrecht (junior), Victoria Jansen (senior).


Artistic Gymnastics

Level 1 to 3: Chalton Ipinge; Level 4 to 6: Antone du Plessis; Level 7 to 10: Aryanna Silver.

High Performance (HP): Eleanor Dukhie

Age categories: Anna Dörenhoff (pre-junior), Zendine Meziane (junior), Anne-Leen Thorburn (senior).


Rhythmic Gymnastics

Level 1 to 3: Gianna Itewa; Level 4 to 7: Annabel Oosthuizen; Level 8 to 10: Kara Kok; High Performance (HP): Jayd Pretorius.

Age categories: Zara Duchaine (pre-junior), Kayla Duchaine (junior), Peya Kashaka (senior).

An additional award was presented to Emma Iiyambo, who was recognised for delivering the best performance at the Gymnastics South Africa National Championships, previously known as the SA Gym Games.


Parkour

Ray-Daniel Chiepo


Gymnastics for All (GFA)

Otja Katjerunga, Milan Schutte, Aryanna Silver, Serine Meziane, Anna Dörenhoff, Mati Pote, Johanna Timoteus, Elanza Steyl, Helvi Kambonde, Keza Nazarambe, Mieke Geldenhuys, Notah Mael, Lanita van Wyk, Alyssa Vivo, Nina Fortuin.


Standout moments from last year

Speaking to Sport Wrap yesterday about the highlights of the season, rhythmic section coordinator Britt Adonis-Byl said one of the standout achievements was Namibia’s return to the World Championships after more than a decade.

“We’ve had gymnasts compete at the World Championships in Jakarta [Indonesia] and Rio de Janeiro [Brazil] for the first time in ten years across the artistic and rhythmic sections.

“We also had our junior gymnast Kayla Duchaine make her debut at the Junior World Championships from the rhythmic section,” she said.

Adonis-Byl added that the NGF has qualified 12 international brevet judges across its disciplines, with another highlight being Zinedine Meziane's seven medals in men’s artistic gymnastics at the Anoca School Games in Algeria.

“And then of course the successful hosting of the Region Five Championships, where Namibia finished as the overall winners, claiming the inaugural Abner Trophy,” she said.

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