Winners celebrated at NGF national championship
The Namibia Gymnastics Federation (NGF) concluded its competitive season in Windhoek by successfully hosting the 2026 National Artistic Championship from last Friday to Sunday.
Top gymnasts from nine clubs nationwide assembled to determine national champions and select trial squads to foster long-term athlete development and secure international qualification.
This year’s edition marked a celebrated milestone for the artistic section, showcasing a significantly expanded footprint and a broader roster of participating clubs than seen in recent years.
A total of nine clubs from across the country fielded athletes, highlighted by the welcoming of new clubs from northern Namibia into the national federation structure.
Leading the pack in participation was Windhoek’s Crete Gymnastics Club with 120 gymnasts, followed by Swakopmund’s Rising Stars (54) and Walvis Bay Gymnastics Club (31).
Demonstrating the sport’s national reach, athletes also represented the gymnastics clubs of Otjiwarongo (18), Ondangwa PPS (13), Okahandja (11), KMA Ongwediva (11), Tsumeb (10) and Gobabis (4).
National Championship results
In the flagship women’s Federation Internationale De Gymnastique (FIG) senior all-around competition, Jonie Thorburn of Crete Gymnastics Club delivered a stellar performance to secure top honours with 41.967 points.
Anne-Leen Thorburn captured second place with a score of 40.767, while Crete’s Ngaitjitue Handura and Sureshni Andrew tied for the bronze position (39.767 points each).
In the men’s FIG senior category, Immanuel Kooper of Crete was in dominant form and clinched the national title with 60.883 points, finishing ahead of Rising Stars’ Romio Garoeb (second with 49.467).
The men’s FIG junior division saw a hard-fought contest, with Whitlynn Cloete of Rising Stars earning first place with 57.283 points. Zinedine Meziane of Tsumeb finished as runner-up with 56.808, while Geofry Pitt of Rising Stars rounded out the podium with 52.017.
In the women’s open division category, Milan Schutte of Crete and Serine Meziane of Tsumeb shared the top step of the podium after scoring an identical 38.667 points, while Otja Katjerungu of Crete earned third place with 36.200.
Exceptional performances were registered across all developmental, high-performance, and level categories, underscoring the deep talent pipeline currently developing across Namibian artistic clubs.
ANNUAL TROPHY WINNERS
Women’s Annual Trophy Winners:
HP 0: Armani Angula (Crete)
HP 1: Isla Bergh (Crete)
HP 2: Andeigh Mahecic (Crete)
Level 1: Etuna Nakale (Crete)
Level 2: Magdaleen Byleveld (Tsumeb)
Level 3: Concetta Angula (Crete)
Level 4: Vera Cranz (Crete)
Level 5: Lika Myburgh (Walvis Bay)
Level 6: Nina Fortuin (Walvis Bay)
Level 7: Lanita van Wyk (Rising Stars)
Level 8: Anna Dörenhoff (Rising Stars)
Open division: Milan Schutte (Crete)
FIG Senior level: Anne-Leen Thorburn (Crete)
Men’s Annual Trophy Winners:
Level 1: Johannes Jacobus Smit (Okahandja)
Level 2: Luhandré Botes (Walvis Bay)
Level 3: Chalton Ipinge (Walvis Bay)
Level 4: Albertus Jacobus Redelinghuys (Tsumeb)
Level 5: Will Shipepe (Crete)
Level 7: Xander Swanepoel (Crete)
FIG Junior level: Zinedine Meziane (Tsumeb)
FIG Senior level: Immanuel Kooper (Crete)
Building towards the international stage
Evaluation of pre-junior athletes for December’s Region Five showpiece, senior gymnasts have already turned their focus to national trials set for February 2027.
These crucial trials will determine team selection for international events scheduled throughout the first half of 2027.
The federation also paid tribute to the crucial contribution of its volunteer base, celebrating the growing contingent of local judges representing various clubs.
Highlighting Namibia’s rising global profile in the sport, brevet judge Nadine Jaeger will represent the country on the officiating panel at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal October 31 to November 13.
The Namibia Gymnastics Federation congratulated all newly crowned champions and trophy winners, expressing gratitude to the athletes, coaches, officials, host clubs, organisers, and supporting families who made the season an overwhelming success.
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