Nam second at youth champs

NAMIBIA ended second out of 12 countries in the African Athletics Confederation (AAC) Southern Region youth championship that took place in Pretoria, South Africa over the weekend.

This was the highest number of countries that had ever participated in the AAC Southern Region Youth Championship. The Namibians collected 14 medals – three gold, four silver and seven bronze – to end behind South Africa, which garnered 41 medals.Zambia ended third with 11 medals.Namibia’s gold medals were clinched by Keshia Kalomo in the long jump for women over a distance of 5.46 meters.Izaan Jansen van Rensburg collected gold in the high jump when she cleared 1.55m, while the women’s relay medley team also scooped gold when they finished the 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m interval event in a time of 2:12.13.Silver medals were won by Pieter Jan Schoombe in shot put, Richard Wolman in the 100m, Tiaan Maritz in the 110m hurdles and Tjipekapora Herunga in the 400m.Bronze medals were won by Johan Venter in discuss and shot put, Sarti Eshitile in the 1500m race, Martha Shivolo in the 3000m, Adla Mila in shot put, Atman Oberholzer in high jump and Leroy Bock in the 400m hurdles.Coach Letu Hamhola was impressed with his team, saying they worked together throughout the event.He said these athletes, if looked after, would represent Namibia well at the 2012 Olympics.The athletes are from various regions of Namibia.Meanwhile, 12 athletes have qualified for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championships in Marrakech, Marocco from July 14 to17.The athletes are: Keshia Kalomo (100m), Globine Muyova (200m), Tjipekapora Herunga (400m), Sarti Eshitile (800m), Richard Wolman (100m and long jump), Werner Ahrens (200m), Richard Herridge (400m and 800m), Sunshine Ndjavera (800m), Atman Oberholzer (high jump), Merchant Blignaut (high jump), Johan Venter (javelin), Rinus Loots (long jump).The Namibians collected 14 medals – three gold, four silver and seven bronze – to end behind South Africa, which garnered 41 medals.Zambia ended third with 11 medals.Namibia’s gold medals were clinched by Keshia Kalomo in the long jump for women over a distance of 5.46 meters.Izaan Jansen van Rensburg collected gold in the high jump when she cleared 1.55m, while the women’s relay medley team also scooped gold when they finished the 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m interval event in a time of 2:12.13.Silver medals were won by Pieter Jan Schoombe in shot put, Richard Wolman in the 100m, Tiaan Maritz in the 110m hurdles and Tjipekapora Herunga in the 400m.Bronze medals were won by Johan Venter in discuss and shot put, Sarti Eshitile in the 1500m race, Martha Shivolo in the 3000m, Adla Mila in shot put, Atman Oberholzer in high jump and Leroy Bock in the 400m hurdles.Coach Letu Hamhola was impressed with his team, saying they worked together throughout the event.He said these athletes, if looked after, would represent Namibia well at the 2012 Olympics.The athletes are from various regions of Namibia.Meanwhile, 12 athletes have qualified for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Youth Championships in Marrakech, Marocco from July 14 to17.The athletes are: Keshia Kalomo (100m), Globine Muyova (200m), Tjipekapora Herunga (400m), Sarti Eshitile (800m), Richard Wolman (100m and long jump), Werner Ahrens (200m), Richard Herridge (400m and 800m), Sunshine Ndjavera (800m), Atman Oberholzer (high jump), Merchant Blignaut (high jump), Johan Venter (javelin), Rinus Loots (long jump).