Windhoek hosts thrilling African Championships

Icestock
The hosts collected youth titles despite losing the men's team crown in Windhoek.
Staff reporter
  • 20 Hours Ago

The 11th African Icestock Championships delivered thrilling competition at the DTS sports grounds in Windhoek recently, with Kenya ending Namibia's dominance in the men's team event while the hosts celebrated success in the youth categories.

The continental championship, hosted at the historic venue for the fourth time, also reflected the rapid growth of the sport across Africa. Alongside Namibia and Kenya, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Gabon, Uganda and Nigeria are now affiliated with the International Federation Icestocksport (IFI), highlighting the sport's expanding footprint.

After Gabon's late withdrawal, the tournament renewed the growing rivalry between Namibia and Kenya. The visitors arrived with their largest-ever African Cup delegation, bringing 22 athletes and three representatives from Kenya's Ministry of Sports.

Namibia entered the men's team competition as four-time defending champions but faced a rebuilding phase without key players Armin Komma and former African individual champion Cobus Harmse.

Led by experienced campaigners Jesaja Mweshipopya, Detlef Pfeifer and Max Feilmeier, alongside debutants Jasper Schrader and Armin Awoseb, Namibia recorded two wins and two draws before falling 10-6 to a strong Kenyan outfit.

Namibia's second team secured third place through Desmond van der Smit, Conrad Demsey, Adolf Garoeb and Jonny-Boy Hoebeb, while Namibia's third team finished fourth.


Individual competition

The men's individual competition produced one of the tournament's most dramatic finishes. Defending champion Douglas Sang of Kenya successfully retained his title after overcoming an early challenge from Namibia's Detlef Pfeifer.

Pfeifer set the pace with an impressive 104 points, but Sang responded with a superb final round to finish on 120 points and claim gold.

The race for silver went down to the final competitor. Kenya's Victor Munene matched Pfeifer's 104-point total but secured second place on countback after producing a stronger fourth round, leaving Pfeifer to settle for bronze.

Namibia's women's team fielded an entirely new squad following the withdrawal of Corme Harmse. Although Loré Simpson, Loraine Krüger, Taryn Zahrt, Lusinet Kahono and Devon Nekongo were unable to match the experienced Kenyan side, they showed encouraging improvement throughout the tournament and twice achieved maximum points during their final match.

Kenya also dominated the women's individual competition, with Mary Kagwiria taking the African title. Simpson was the highest-placed Namibian in fifth place with 72 points on her international debut.


Inaugural competition

Namibia enjoyed greater success in the inaugural African U23 competition, where Max Feilmeier claimed the title with 96 points. Jaydien Garoeb finished second with a personal-best 90 points, while Adolf Garoeb secured third on 82.

The domestic U18 Youth Championships were also held alongside the continental event, with Jaydien Garoeb crowned champion ahead of Adolf Garoeb and Jonny-Boy Hoebeb.

The Namibian Icestock Federation thanked sponsor FNB for its continued support and confirmed that athletes have already resumed preparations for future international competitions.

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