Chicalu claims triple gold at schools tourney
St Paul’s College’s Agape Chicalu cruised to three gold medals at this year’s second Arysteq Simonis Schools Tournament at Wanderers Sports Hall in Windhoek on Saturday.
Chicalu secured gold in the boys’ U19, U17 and U15 categories, with the latter being his standard age group.
Organisers confirmed that players are allowed to compete above their age categories based on ability, which enabled the rising prospect to take on opponents two age groups above him and dominate.
Chicalu’s U19 title run saw him placed in a two-player group due to uneven entries, where he faced Vitjitua Kejarukua (Pioneers Boys School - PBS) and won in straight games 2-0 (11-1, 11-0) to top the group and advance to the knockout stage. Kejarukua also progressed after finishing second.
In the quarterfinals, Chicalu faced Simon Hamukoto (PBS), continuing his dominant run with a 2-0 (11-0, 11-1) win to book his place in the semi-finals.
Finals clashes
In the semi-finals, Chicalu was tested by Tjiunee Katjipi (PBS), but still secured a straight-games 2-0 victory (11-1, 11-3) to advance.
His toughest test at the tournament came in the final against schoolmate and archrival Jason Kadandara.
The intense encounter saw both players trade points in a closely contested match, with Chicalu edging Kadandara 2-0 (13-11, 13-11) to claim the U19 title. Kadandara settled for silver.
Speaking to Sport Wrap after securing the U19 gold medal, Chicalu said it was rewarding to go one better after finishing second at the previous tournament last month.
“I feel amazing to have claimed the gold medal. The final match against Kadandara was quite tough, as he played really well,” he said.
The U19 bronze medals went to Katjipi and Munatjari Tjiueza (PBS), both making their podium debuts at the event.
In the U17 category, Jason Kadandara claimed silver, while Terence Kadandara (his brother) and Eliakim Namhila (Olof Palme Primary) took bronze.
In the U15 category, Jason Kadandara again finished second, with Wilhelm Twyman (Windhoek Afrikaans Private School) and Terence Kadandara securing bronze.
Boys U13: 1 Twyman, 2 Terence Kadandara, 3 Kilian Beukes (St Joseph’s Primary); Hangula Immanuel (Olof Palme Primary).
Boys U11: 1 Beukes, 2 Mbundje Fortune (Olof Palme Primary), 3 Jayden Bampton (Elim Primary) (three entries).
Outstanding girls’ players
In the girls’ division, Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek’s Lian Gebauer led the U19 category, which was played in a round-robin format due to only four entries.
Gebauer won all three of her matches, beating Concordia College’s Suverasaneje Ikorua 2-0 (11-2, 11-5), Karolina Shigwedha (Ella du Plessis) 2-0 (11-7, 11-3), and St Paul’s College’s Cadence Farmer 2-1 (10-12, 11-7, 11-6) to claim the title.
Reflecting on her performance, Gebauer said she was pleased to retain her position at the top, having also won the previous event.
On handling pressure, she admitted it remains a challenge, but one she manages by staying composed.
“[It’s] always a lot of pressure… It’s really nerve-wracking, but you just have to keep calm and settle your nerves,” she said.
Gebauer has also qualified to represent Namibia at the Youth Olympic Games in October and November in Senegal, alongside partner Kamrouz Ghayouri of St Paul’s College.
Shigwedha claimed silver after wins over Ikorua (11-6, 11-7) and Farmer (11-9, 9-11, 11-8).
Farmer secured bronze with an 11-7, 11-7 win over Ikorua, who finished fourth.
Farmer later claimed double gold in the U17 and U15 categories.
Girls U17: 2 Gebauer, 3 Shigwedha; Ikorua.
Girls U15: 2 Ikorua, 3 Esther Nelengé (Olof Palme Primary); Sabina Shanika (Monte Christo Primary).
Girls U13: 1 Nelengé, 2 Shanika, 3 Sheila Kambonde (Elim Primary); Sylvi Ikanda (Hillside Primary).
Girls U11: 1 Nelengé, 2 Ikanda, 3 Kambonde; Luigina Tjitandi (Elim Primary).
Record girls’ turnout
Tournament coordinator Theo Beukes said the event attracted 57 players and, for the first time in the series, recorded more entries in the girls’ division (31) than the boys’ (26).
The tournament also saw Waldorf School players make their debut in the series on Saturday. The third tournament in the series will be held on 20 June in Rehoboth.
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