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DTS tourney crucial prep for Continental U21 Champs

• 14 Hours Ago

The German Gymnastics and Sports Association (DTS) Liqui Fruit Winter Classic held last weekend at the DTS Beach Volleyball Arena proved a crucial preparation tournament.

National beach volleyball players who participated - Luca Kesselmann, Max and Jura Krafft - are also poised to represent the country at the Continental U21 Championships, set to serve off from Wednesday to Monday in Morocco’s Martil.

The African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) beach volleyball tournament will see the Namibian trio joined by Fabian Biederlack, Piroschka Lück and Romy Lück.

They will take on some of Africa’s finest from 25 other participating countries in pursuit of a coveted spot at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships, to be held in Mexico in October.

The Krafft brothers are paired up in the men’s team, while the Lück sisters compete in the women’s division and the duo of Kesselmann and Biederlack in the men’s section - all under the guidance of coach Achim Lück.

Having competed in the senior men’s division, the Krafft brothers reigned supreme, clinching the division’s overall title ahead of Simeon Ndaxula and Teodor Thomas.

Third place saw tight competition, with Jan Erik and his partner Ivanoeh Beukes tied for the position with Kudakwashe Mahachi and Panashe Chiguta.



Women champions

In the women’s section, the duo of Almut Hoffmann and Rosi Hennes dominated to secure the overall title. They were followed by Meriam Mendos and Meameno Heita in second place, with Maike van Doorn and Carmen Curschmann making their mark in third place.

The tournament also featured an under-19 category, where Tumeritino Lebereki and his partner Lazarus Kamati dominated the men’s division.

They were followed by Bobby Sinclair and Rene Steinkopff in second place, with Leander Müller and his partner Jowan Bezuidenhoudt taking third place.

In the under-19 girls’ category, the duo of Alushe Sakeus and Grace Muehua took the top spot, followed by Lilly Marschall and Stella Hamm in second, ahead of Isabel von Wietershein and Nora Rogl.



Crucial qualifier for international tournaments

Speaking to this publication, tournament director Heiko Kesselmann said the DTS Liqui Fruit Winter Classic is a crucial platform for junior players to showcase their skills.

He said it helps players qualify for international competitions and serves as an important warm-up, as seen with the junior players who had already earned their continental championship spots and used the tournament to fine-tune their game.

“It is at competitions like this where players qualify for African beach volleyball championships and prestigious events like the Youth Olympic Games.

“So this is the platform where we enjoy seeing the youth in action as they showcase their skills and groom them to help improve their abilities,” he said.

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