Coetzee shines at Khomas Athletics Champs 

Lionel Coetzee led some impressive performances by Namibian athletes at the Khomas Athletics Championships on Saturday.

Coetzee won the men’s long jump with a distance of 7.71m, which was equivalent to 1 074 points on World Athletics’ points scoring system, while it was not too far off his national record of 8.27m set three years ago.

Afterwards he said he was excited by his performance and looking forward to a great season.

“Today I had a very good day on the track. I had two no jumps, but then I got a very good jump of 7.71m and I’m happy with that. It’s my opening competition and I’m excited to see what I’ll produce at the next competition,” he said.

“I’m aiming for the Commonwealth Games. I think the qualifying standard is 7.88m, but last year I jumped 7.98m, so I have to prove myself this year again so I can be on the team. I think the qualification for the African Champs is 7.88m, so I’ve already qualified for that one,” he added.

“2024 was a very blessed year for me. I got silver at the African Championships and hopefully this year I can get the gold medal,” he said.

There were several other top class performances that passed the 1 000-mark rating.

Jade Nangula starred in the women’s sprints, obtaining more than 1 000 points in both the 100m and 200m events.

She won the 100m in 11.85 seconds, which equated to 1 020 points, finishing well ahead of Hanganeni Fikunawa and Frieda Iithete.

Nangula also obtained 1 017 points for winning the 200m in 24.20 seconds, with Napuumue Hengari coming second in 25.95 and Kim Mbaha third in 26.18.

Charley Matundu did the double in the men’s sprints, winning the 100m in 10.76 seconds, which equated to 957 points, and then beating Magano Naseb by a split second in a thrilling 200m.

Matundu won gold in 21.32 seconds (1 021 points) while Naseb won silver in 21.33 (1 020 points). Third-placed Elton Hoeseb also posted a fast time of 21.44 (1 003 points).

Tuuliki Angala also gave a strong performance to win the women’s 800m in 2:08.98 (1 008 points), finishing well ahead of Anabel Luisa (2:33.76) and Nasimane Shigwedha (1:55.41).

There were also good performances by Rudolph Kamambo who won the men’s 400m in 47.87 (989 points); Asser Nalukaku, who won the men’s 1 500m in a new personal best time of 3:52.76; and Frieda Iithete who won the women’s long jump in 5.84m (964 points).

Visiting South African athlete Xavier van der Leek gave a great performance to win the men’s 800m in 1:49.83, which equated to 1 031 points.

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