Hella Kuppe: The master with the Midas touch 

Hella Kuppe says it was an honour to be an athlete in the 1960s. The retired star was born at Remmer Clinic in Windhoek West 85 years ago, and raised at Mariental.

“Those were the sweet, beautiful days. I didn’t specialise in one specific sport. I just loved doing sport – whether it was track and field or a team sport on the field, I was a jack of all trades,” she says.

“My sport really took off when I came to school at Windhoek High School (WHS). I competed in my first South West Africa Amateur Athletics Association event while still at school. I must admit that our training was not anywhere close to the modern-day world-class training methods.”

While she was an ardent 100m sprinter, Kuppe also specialised in the long jump, high jump, hurdles, discus and javelin.

While she was one of the stars of her school’s athletics team, the towering athlete was also a member of the Wanderers Athletics Club under coach Bennie Schlechter.

Kuppe’s dominance in the women’s master’s athletics is unmatched.

“There were really not a lot of athletes from the age of 40 and above who competed in the masters category during our prime time back in the days.

“But there certainly was a period when you just felt you deserved being on the track and showcasing your talent,” she says.

She says growing up, there was never a dull moment.

“If I wasn’t burning up the track in competitions in and outside the city, I was playing hockey or softball for SKW. I even went on to play hockey at national level for the old South West Africa.”

Kuppe represented South West Africa during a meeting against the Potchefstroom Teachers’ College as a senior athlete on 7 December 1963.

During the same year on 11 December, she was part of the history-making group of athletes who participated for the first time under floodlights at the WHS sport grounds.

Kuppe officially started competing in the master’s category in 1980.

Ironically enough, her first participation at international level was in 1989, a year before Namibia attained independence.

She was 49 years old at the time.

“I initially had a problem obtaining a visa to enter Denmark, but we called the organisers of the World Masters Games and told them I already travelled all the way from Africa, and they probably felt sorry for me and allowed me to participate,” she says.

“My efforts were not in vain. I went on to finish first in the high jump.

“I was very happy with myself because it was my very first time competing in a world-class meeting with no prior international exposure.”

Kuppe went on to participate in four World Masters Athletic Championships.

She made her debut in Turku, Finland, and won one gold, two silver and two bronze medals to become the first African athlete to win a medal at the event in 1991.

The retired star also won one silver and three bronze medals in Buffalo, United States, in 1995.

This was followed by one gold and two silver medals at the 1997 event in Durban, South Africa.

However, the going was a little tough in 2001 during the Brisbane meeting in Australia where she only managed a bronze medal.

“I also participated in two (1995 and 1997) World Indoor Athletics in Birmingham, England, and it was such a wonderful experience. I have never participated in indoor competitions prior to Birmingham, and that is one experience I will have for the rest of my life,” Kuppe says.

‘WONDERFUL TIME’

“I had a wonderful time during my athletics career – travelling to places I thought I would never see. I have made friends all over the world through my athletics career, however, there is nothing I cherish more than being Namibian sportswoman of the year three times.”

The veteran athlete was named sportswoman of the year in 1991, 1996 and 1997.

Kuppe set a personal best record of 1.50m in the high jump in 1992 at the age of 52, and also set 14 African Masters records in the 45 to 60 age category.

Her 9,57m leap in the triple jump earned her 9 273 points which made her the best African woman athlete in 1998, which was known as the Year of the Women in Athletics.

Kuppe received an award from the African Veteran Federation and a medal from the International Amateur Athletics Federation as a token of recognition for her achievements.

The 14,99m javelin record she set during the 1996 African Veteran’s Track and Field Championship is still standing as an Africa record.

Kuppe, who was also honoured with the Springbok colours before Namibia’s independence, was also a member of the South West Africa softball team which participated in Durban, South Africa, in 1980.

‘NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE’

“I want to be remembered for my dedication and passion for athletics – a champion who was goal-oriented and an example to the young athletes of today that nothing in this world is impossible as long as you remain focused and work hard,” she says.

Kuppe is a widow, has two sons and says she is enjoying her old age in a retirement village in Windhoek.

She says she keeps fit by walking, and keeps herself busy with gardening.

Although she loved flying and particularly visiting new places all over the world, the retired runner regrets that she went to participate in the World Masters Championships in Australia.

“Going to Australia was a big mistake in 2001. I was 61 at the time and I didn’t have any business going to compete. I felt I was too old to put myself under such pressure.

“I also feel I overtrained. I was just not prepared mentally,” she says.

“I will be the first one to admit that I miss competing and travelling to other countries. It was such a great honour to go represent my country at big events like the world championships and the Africa Game.

“The friendships I made I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Kuppe is advising young athletes to be true to themselves and live a healthy lifestyle if they want to go far in sport, adding that practice makes perfect.

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