Namibia announces strong national wrestling team for African Continental Championships

Wrestling
Young squad blends experience and emerging talent as Namibia targets medals in Alexandria after recent continental breakthrough.
Staff Reporter
  • 2 Hours Ago

The Namibian Wrestling Federation (NWF) has officially unveiled the national team set to compete at the African Continental Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, as the country continues to strengthen its presence on the continental wrestling stage.

The selected squad features a balanced mix of youth, junior, and senior athletes, highlighting Namibia’s long-term development strategy and growing depth in the sport. Among the standout names is 2023 African champion Calvin Dreyer, alongside Lazarus Haimbodi and Virinao Nguatjiti, all of whom are expected to play key roles in Namibia’s medal ambitions.

Team Namibia Squad

U17 Division

  • Lisias Shipopyeni (55kg, Greco-Roman, Beach Wrestling)
  • Petrus Haimbodi (60kg, Greco-Roman, Beach Wrestling)
  • Henrico Durand (60kg, Freestyle, Beach Wrestling)

U20 Division

  • Calvin Dreyer (55kg, Greco-Roman)
  • Stefanovic Stefanus (60kg, Greco-Roman)
  • Lazarus Haimbodi (63kg, Greco-Roman)

Senior Division

  • Joel Tangi Iipinge (55kg, Greco-Roman)
  • Virinao Nguatjiti (60kg, Greco-Roman)
  • Ester Abraham (59kg, Women’s Freestyle, Beach Wrestling)

The team will be led by national coach Luis Forcelledo Paz, assisted by Kevin Vleermuis, with Erika Theron serving as referee and Anke Erasmus appointed as team leader.

Building on Recent Progress

Namibia enters the championships with renewed confidence after securing three bronze medals at the 2025 edition. This improvement has been attributed to the implementation of the NWF Strategic Plan and an intensified elite training programme designed to elevate athletes to higher competitive standards.

All eyes will be on Calvin Dreyer, who moves into a higher age category after previously being crowned African champion at U17 level. Lazarus Haimbodi, a chemical engineering student at NUST, will compete across both U20 and senior divisions as he targets an upgrade from last year’s bronze medal finish. Virinao Nguatjiti is also aiming to return to the podium after a strong showing in a highly competitive weight category in 2025.

The U17 wrestlers will also compete in beach wrestling events as part of their development pathway, with selection implications for potential Youth Olympic Games participation later this year in Senegal.

Focus on Development and Excellence

National coach Luis Forcelledo Paz expressed confidence in the squad’s preparation, praising the athletes for their discipline and commitment during training camps leading up to the championships.

In parallel with competition preparations, Ester Abraham continues her high-performance training at the Olympic Training Centre in Côte d’Ivoire under an Olympic Solidarity Scholarship, strengthening her bid for future qualification towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Officiating and Administration Growth

Beyond athlete development, Namibia is also investing in technical and administrative growth. Referee Erika Theron will attend a United World Wrestling (UWW) Level 2 certification course to enhance officiating standards locally and internationally.

Meanwhile, NWF Secretary General Anke Erasmus will represent Namibia at the Wrestling Africa General Assembly. She is also expected to engage in strategic discussions with UWW Africa leadership aimed at advancing the establishment of a regional wrestling confederation within the AUSC Region 5 framework.

Looking Ahead

The Namibian Wrestling Federation has expressed full confidence in both athletes and technical staff as the team prepares to compete against Africa’s best in Alexandria.

With momentum steadily building, Namibia will be aiming to convert recent progress into podium finishes and further cement its status as one of the emerging forces in African wrestling.