Fittest in the Namib champions crowned after two-day showdown

Adam Hartman The seventh edition of Fittest in the Namib concluded in Swakopmund with champions crowned across six divisions after two days of CrossFit competition that tested strength, endurance and teamwork. In the Male RX (elite) division, the Invictus Pair – former rugby player and cyclist André de Klerk and upcoming golfer Henry Mudge – claimed the overall title. The Female RX (elite) winners were Hustle and Muscle, Caroline Neumann and Lezaan Groenewald. The Masters male category was won by Bald Bunny (Stephan van Rooyen and Willem Genis), while Fire & Ice (Azani Smit and Madeláne Hennop) took the Masters female title. In the Scaled divisions, Sugar Stache (Benjamin Mostert and Graham Cilliers) won the men’s category, and Aphletes (Jessica Lofty-Eaton and Nadia Pickering) secured the women’s title. The competition opened at the Mole beach and concluded at the Pro-Ed Academy sports field, with six events determining the final standings. Event organiser Jancke Rentel said the 2025 edition showed clear improvement compared to previous years. “It went very well this year. It actually went better than last year,” Rentel said. “The feedback I received from the athletes was that the vibe, the festive feeling and the sense of community were really special.” She said participation numbers continued its upward curve after the disruption caused by Covid-19. “Last year we had 34 teams, and this year we had 44, so that is ten more than last year,” Rentel said. According to her, the majority of participants were Namibians, with limited international entries. “There was one South African team, and then a few individuals who are Namibian but currently studying in South Africa. We also had a few mixed teams.” Rentel expressed appreciation for the event’s sponsors. “Our main sponsor, Wilde Meer Investments, really went all out for the event.” A total of N$30 000 in prize money was distributed among the top teams, with additional prizes provided. Rentel acknowledged that the event was not without challenges, including the loss of a venue a day before the competition started. “We had to make a quick plan. Fortunately, Pro-Ed Academy accommodated us and made their facilities available.” She identified the atmosphere and sense of community as the standout highlight of the weekend and confirmed that Special Olympics athletes participated for the first time. “For us, the biggest highlight was the vibe and the community. This is the event of the year,” Rentel said. She confirmed that the next edition of Fittest in the Namib is planned for December 2026.