Karate team off to African champs

A TEAM of four karate contestants and their officials yesterday left for Luanda, Angola, to compete in the African Senior Karate Championships.

Namibia will be represented by the experienced Freddy Mwiya, his brother Paul Mwiya, Ace Mutelo and Nadeem Husselmann. The officials include Sensei Wikus Oberholster, who will serve as a referee from the Namibian side, while Sensei Valdermar Swart will serve as one of the coaches.The other coach is Sensei Gert Husselmann, while David Sittler will act as team manager.The team, which left Windhoek in high spirits yesterday, will start competing tomorrow in the two-day event, in which more than 20 countries will be vying for top honours.The best bet for Namibia for a medal is Freddy Mwiya, who for years has been the national karate champion, while Mutelo also stands a good chance to bring back gold.Freddy Mwiya, possibly the most experienced in the group, was also a former Karate-Zen world champion.Mutelo scooped a silver medal during the Zone Six championships last year and the experience he has built up through the years will give him the edge.Nadeem Husselmann recently moved into the senior ranks after competing as a junior for most of this year.According to an official of the Namibia Karate Union (NKU), Willem Burger, the Namibians should be able to stand tall although it is a small team.”These guys went through a rigorous selection process and we believe that they are the best we have to do the job,” he said.He said all four contestants had already represented the country on international level and were capable of causing an upset.He also added that the two coaches (Husselmann and Swart) are proven professionals in the sport and have over the past few weeks prepared the contestants well “to compete, instead of just participating”.”They have trained hard and they know what is required from them at this type of competition,” he said.He said Oberholster would also use the championships to complete a Union of Karate Federations in Africa (UKFA) referees’ examination.The event will be held under the auspices of the UKFA.Burger further thanked the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) for their advice and assistance and in making the trip possible.”We are really thankful that they showed their commitment in ensuring that the team can compete at the event, as it will give our men the necessary experience and thus improve their abilities in the sport.The officials include Sensei Wikus Oberholster, who will serve as a referee from the Namibian side, while Sensei Valdermar Swart will serve as one of the coaches.The other coach is Sensei Gert Husselmann, while David Sittler will act as team manager.The team, which left Windhoek in high spirits yesterday, will start competing tomorrow in the two-day event, in which more than 20 countries will be vying for top honours.The best bet for Namibia for a medal is Freddy Mwiya, who for years has been the national karate champion, while Mutelo also stands a good chance to bring back gold.Freddy Mwiya, possibly the most experienced in the group, was also a former Karate-Zen world champion.Mutelo scooped a silver medal during the Zone Six championships last year and the experience he has built up through the years will give him the edge.Nadeem Husselmann recently moved into the senior ranks after competing as a junior for most of this year.According to an official of the Namibia Karate Union (NKU), Willem Burger, the Namibians should be able to stand tall although it is a small team.”These guys went through a rigorous selection process and we believe that they are the best we have to do the job,” he said.He said all four contestants had already represented the country on international level and were capable of causing an upset.He also added that the two coaches (Husselmann and Swart) are proven professionals in the sport and have over the past few weeks prepared the contestants well “to compete, instead of just participating”.”They have trained hard and they know what is required from them at this type of competition,” he said.He said Oberholster would also use the championships to complete a Union of Karate Federations in Africa (UKFA) referees’ examination.The event will be held under the auspices of the UKFA.Burger further thanked the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) for their advice and assistance and in making the trip possible.”We are really thankful that they showed their commitment in ensuring that the team can compete at the event, as it will give our men the necessary experience and thus improve their abilities in the sport.