Glory awaits sport stars

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA Jonas Junias and Helalia Johannes are the favourites to scoop top prizes at this year's Namibia Sports Awards. Many athletes and coaches will be rewarded for their achievements on 27 October. A total of 14 categories will be awarded at The Dome in Swakopmund, Erongo Region. Helalia Johannes is probably the only able-bodied athlete from Namibia who realistically stands a chance of returning from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics with a medal. Having broken the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon women's record, finishing first in a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 28 seconds, Johannes is expected to thrill at the awards. In April, Johannes won the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Marathon with a stunning performance. Johannes finished in a time of 2 hours, 32 minutes and 40 seconds. The silver medal in the 42.2km event was won by Lisa Weightman (2:33:23), while another Australian, Jess Trengrove, claimed the bronze medal in a time of 2:34:09. Johannes is seeking a second triumph in a row following her success at last year's sports awards. The marathon runner will compete for the award against professional hockey player and coach Magreth Mengo and water-skier Natasha Rottcher, who also had a good year in their sport codes. Another athlete who is likely to walk away with a big prize is top amateur boxer Jonas Junias, who is nominated in the Sportsman of the Year category. Junias won Commonwealth gold in April after defeating Canadian Thomas Blumenfeld 5-0 in the final 64kg fight. He is pitted against cyclist Tristan de Lange and golfer Likius Nande, who also participated in top international events this year. Best friends Ananias Shikongo and Johannes Nambala will go head to head in the Sportsman with Disability awards, while Johanna Benson, Lahja Ishitile (won last year) and Sylvia Shivolo will square off for the Woman with Disability award. “I am very happy to be nominated in this award and may the best man win,” Ananias Shikongo said. Namibian Sun sport reporter Limba Mupetami has been shortlisted for the Sports Journalist of the Year award after her articles won the hearts of many during the year 2018. Mupetami will compete for the award against veteran journalist Sheefeni Nicodemus of The Namibian and Hesron Kapanga of Nampa. The nominees:Coach Barbara Fernandez Veitia - Namibia Paralympic Committee Robert Kaxuxuena - Athletics Tobias Nashilongo - Professional Boxing Sports Development Programme NFA Galz and Goals Kids on Bikes - Cycling (also nominated last year)Rugby Development ProgrammeJunior Sportsman Adriaan Grobler - Archery Allexander Muller - CyclingLance Potgieter - Gymnastics (also nominated last year) Junior Sportsman with Disability Alfredo Bernado - Athletics Bradley Murere - Athletics Dian Jansen - Javelin and Shot Put (won last year) Junior Sportswoman Carene van Zyl - Gymnastics Kiana Cormack - Hockey Quinn Reddig - Archery Junior Sportswoman with Disability Beatha Hausiku - AthleticsEmilia Musenge - Athletics Sportsman Likius Nande - Golf Jonas Junius - Amateur Boxing Tristan de Lange - Cycling Sportsman with Disability Ananias Shikongo - Athletics Johannes Nambala – Athletics SportswomanHelalia Johannes - AthleticsMagreth Mengo - Indoor Hockey Natascha Rottcher - Water Ski Sportswoman with Disability Johanna Benson - Athletics (also nominated last year) Lahja Ishitile - Athletics (won last year) Sylvia Shivolo - Shot Put and Discus Sports Team Senior Rugby (also nominated last year) Senior Women's Indoor Hockey (also nominated last year) Junior Men's Inline Hockey Umpire/RefereePatrick Esterhuizen - Professional Boxing Jamal Madiane - GymnasticsBerthold Karumendu - AthleticsSports Journalist of the YearLimba Mupetami - Namibian SunSheefeni Nicodemus - The NamibianHesron Kapanga of Nampa. Erongo Red will sponsor the Erongo Red People's Choice Sports Star award which will be voted for through an SMS line by sending PC and the name of the athlete for nomination to 33033. One SMS costs N$2.In 2017, professional boxer Julius Indongo won the Sports Achiever of the Year award as well as Sportsman of the Year award.

Glory awaits sport stars

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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Glory awaits sport stars

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-12

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