Namibian Sporting Highlights of 2013

Here are some some Namibian sporting highlights during 2013.

Ambunda wins WBO world title

Paulus Ambunda gave a brilliant performance when he beat Pungluang Sor Singyu to win the WBO bantamweight world title on March 2.

After a tremendous fight that swayed to and fro, the three judges scored the fight 115-113, 116-112, 116-112 to Ambunda as he dethroned Pungluang to become Namibia’s third boxing world champion after Harry Simon and Paulus Moses.

It was a great performance by Ambunda who was in superb shape and gave it all he got. It was a close fight but Ambunda’s greater determination and desire carried it through in the end.

Ambunda however lost the title in his first defence against Tomoki Kameda of Japan in Cebu City, Philippines on 1 August. The quicker Kameda outboxed Ambunda from long range and mostly avoided toe-to-toe exchanges en route to a 118-110, 116-112, 117-111 unanimous points win.

Kameda

On December 3, Immanuel Naidjala failed in his bid to win the title back when he lost a unanimous points decision against Kameda in Osaka, Japan.

Naidjala gave a fine display but it was not enough to sway the three judges as they all gave Kameda a comfortable victory, 119-109, 118-110, 117-111.

The scorecard however was not a true reflection of the fight as Naidjala gave as good as he got and regularly out-jabbed the champion.

Nambala wins gold in Lyon

Johannes Nambala made history by winning a gold medal at the IPC World Championships in Lyon, France on 27 July when he came first in the Men’s T13 400m final.

In a close race, Nambala beat Alexander Zverev of Russia in a sprint to the line in a new championship record time of 49,07 seconds, which beat the previous championship record time of 49,41.

It was the first time that Namibia had won a gold medal at the IPC World Championships, and comes a year after Johanna Benson won gold at the London Paralympic Games.

Nambala’s gold medal brought Namibia’s total medal haul at the IPC Championships to seven, consisting of one gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

It was Nambala’s second medal at the World Championships after he earlier won a silver medal in the Men’s 200m T13 in an African record time of 21,59 seconds.

Ananias Shikongo won silver in the Men’s 200m T11 in 22,71 seconds, and bronze in the Men’s 100m T11 in 11,85 seconds.

Johanna Benson won bronze in the Women’s 200m T37 final in a new African record of 29,18 and another bronze in the 100m in 14,35 seconds.

Frieda Nakanyala won a bronze medal in the Women’s 200m T13 final after coming third in a personal best time of 29,54.

Namibia’s medal haul was a big improvement on the previous IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand four years ago when Reginald Benade won a silver medal and Ananias Shikongo a bronze medal.

2015 Rugby World Cup on track

In another tough and fiery encounter, in which they were constantly provoked by Tunisia’s players, Namibia gave a committed and disciplined performance to emerge victorious.

The Welwitschias scored five tries through Chrysander Botha (2), Rohan Kitshoff, Heinrich Smith and a penalty try, while Theuns Kotze added 20 points with the boot.

Four days earlier Namibia had booked their place in the Division 1B final by beating Senegal 35-12, with Hendrik Dames (2), David Philander and Chrysander Botha scoring tries while Kotze added 13 points with the boot.