Boxers bring home gold

FIVE Namibian boxers punched their way to gold medals, while also securing an overall winner spot for their country at the recently concluded Four Nations Boxing tournament in Gaborone, Botswana.

The medals were picked up David Gabriel who fought in the 48-kg class, Sakaria Lucas in the 51-kg category and Lucas Handivele in the 60-kg group. Martin Haikali and Abed Nghipulwa were the other two gold medal winners in the 63,5-kg and 67-kg classes respectively.Handivele also got an award for the best bout when he beat his opponent on points.He scored 26-22 in his fight.Gabriel’s fight was clinched in the second round after the referee stopped the contest, while Lucas obtained a technical knock-out (TKO) in the second round.Haikali had a walkover after his opponent did not arrive, while Nghipulwa won his fight by 35 points to 24.Namibia competed against boxers from Botswana, Mauritius and Lesotho.In total seven Namibian boxers from the development programme of the Ministry of National Youth Service, Sport and Culture competed at the tournament.Namibia got a total of 21 points to be crowned as overall champions and were followed by Botswana with 13 points, while Mauritius was placed third with six points and Lesotho fourth with two points.Botswana won one gold and five silver medals, while Mauritius managed to grab two gold medals and Lesotho only one silver medal.Head of Mission Bernard Kaanjuka said the tournament also served as preparation for the Zone Six SADC Youth Boxing Championships, which will be held in Namibia next year.He said the boxers gave a good account of themselves and were worthy ambassadors for their country.”They have a lot of potential and can develop into world-class boxers with consistent training.They are still young and have a long way to go,” he said.Namibia Amateur Boxing Federation (NABF) Secretary General Joe Kaperu thanked all the parties who made it possible for the boxers to compete in Botswana.The Namibian officials who accompanied the team were Simon Amakali and Blacky Kaperu, who were the assistant coach and coach respectively, referees Timo Haikonda and Matthew Ndeshitile and team doctor Yeni Ortega.Martin Haikali and Abed Nghipulwa were the other two gold medal winners in the 63,5-kg and 67-kg classes respectively.Handivele also got an award for the best bout when he beat his opponent on points.He scored 26-22 in his fight.Gabriel’s fight was clinched in the second round after the referee stopped the contest, while Lucas obtained a technical knock-out (TKO) in the second round.Haikali had a walkover after his opponent did not arrive, while Nghipulwa won his fight by 35 points to 24.Namibia competed against boxers from Botswana, Mauritius and Lesotho.In total seven Namibian boxers from the development programme of the Ministry of National Youth Service, Sport and Culture competed at the tournament.Namibia got a total of 21 points to be crowned as overall champions and were followed by Botswana with 13 points, while Mauritius was placed third with six points and Lesotho fourth with two points.Botswana won one gold and five silver medals, while Mauritius managed to grab two gold medals and Lesotho only one silver medal.Head of Mission Bernard Kaanjuka said the tournament also served as preparation for the Zone Six SADC Youth Boxing Championships, which will be held in Namibia next year.He said the boxers gave a good account of themselves and were worthy ambassadors for their country.”They have a lot of potential and can develop into world-class boxers with consistent training.They are still young and have a long way to go,” he said.Namibia Amateur Boxing Federation (NABF) Secretary General Joe Kaperu thanked all the parties who made it possible for the boxers to compete in Botswana.The Namibian officials who accompanied the team were Simon Amakali and Blacky Kaperu, who were the assistant coach and coach respectively, referees Timo Haikonda and Matthew Ndeshitile and team doctor Yeni Ortega.