Namibian powerlifters shine at African championships
Namibia made a strong impression at the inaugural WPC Africa Congress Championships in Durban, South Africa, on 25 and 26 September, with three athletes claiming African championship titles, setting international records and establishing new national marks.
The Namibian Powerlifting Association (NPA) was represented by Etienne Mostert, Marius Johannes and Nazandro Strauss, whose performances highlighted the country’s growing potential in the strength sport.
Mostert, competing in the WPC Equipped Multiply division in the Master 3 super heavyweight category, won three titles: Equipped Multiply, Military Equipped Multiply and Equipped Multiply Bench Only.
He also set African Congress records in the squat, bench press, deadlift and total in Equipped Multiply. In Military Equipped Multiply, he established world and African Congress records across all four categories, while also setting world and African records in Equipped Multiply Bench Only.
Johannes claimed the WPC Africa Congress title in Classic Raw, Master 3, 140kg, and was named the 2026 WPC Overall Male Master Lifter.
His performance included African Congress records in the squat, bench press, deadlift and total, as well as a WPC world record in the bench press.
Strauss completed Namibia’s clean sweep of individual championship titles by winning the Classic Raw Teen 3, 82.5kg category. He also established African Congress records in the squat, bench press, deadlift and total.
In addition to their international achievements, all three lifters set new Namibian national records.
The NPA said the results demonstrated that Namibian athletes could compete successfully against the continent’s best, despite the country’s relatively small powerlifting community.
Developing local officiating
Beyond the performances on the platform, Namibia also made progress in developing its technical expertise.
Mostert and Johannes served as officials at the championships after completing written examinations before travelling to South Africa, followed by practical evaluations during the event.
Mostert completed his judging assessment during the women’s teenage, junior, open and Masters competitions, while Johannes officiated at the Strict Bicep/Arm Curl Championships held alongside the powerlifting event.
Both are now qualified judges or referees in their respective disciplines.
As Namibia’s country head, Mostert can also invite and select candidates to undertake the examinations and practical assessments required to become national judges and referees.
The development is expected to help the NPA build local officiating capacity, strengthen domestic competitions and reduce the costs associated with sending officials to South Africa for training and qualification.
More accessible international competition
The introduction of the annual WPC Africa Congress Championships also offers Namibian lifters a more accessible route to international competition.
South Africa is scheduled to host the championships for the next five years before the event rotates to another African country.
The NPA believes the continental competition will help reduce the financial and logistical challenges associated with travelling to overseas destinations such as the United States and England, potentially allowing more Namibian athletes to compete internationally.
However, continued participation will depend on financial backing, athlete preparation and access to suitable training facilities.
Call for corporate support
The NPA has called on Namibian businesses, institutions and potential sponsors to support the development of powerlifting and help athletes participate in future international competitions.
The association is seeking assistance with travel, accommodation, equipment, training facilities, national competitions, judge training and youth development programmes.
Powerlifting consists of three lifts — the squat, bench press and deadlift — with an athlete’s best successful attempt in each lift combined to determine their total in a full competition.
While the sport remains relatively small in Namibia, the NPA is working to expand participation, develop qualified officials and create more opportunities for local athletes to compete at home and abroad.
The association also wants to encourage newcomers to take up the sport, emphasising that powerlifting is not only about winning titles or breaking records, but also about personal progress, dedication and the courage to step onto the platform.
Namibia’s achievements in Durban provide a foundation on which the association hopes to build, with greater corporate support seen as key to growing the sport and ensuring that more athletes have the opportunity to represent the country internationally.
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