Dual national championships hit the target

The Archery Association of Namibia recently brought together competitors from younger than 13 to over 80 years old in Swakopmund by hosting the Indoor Target and IFAA Nationals across 120-arrow rounds to crown national champions and prepare Para athletes for international competition in Dubai.

The action-packed weekend kicked off on 3 October with the World Archery (WA) Indoor Target Nationals, showcasing the extraordinary broad appeal of the sport.

Bringing together competitors from across the country, the mats saw a multi-generational turnout the youngest contender stepped up at under 13 years old, while the most seasoned veteran proved that age is just a number at over 80.

Inclusion stood out as a core pillar of the weekend. Four Para archers took to the line, using the national stage as vital preparation for their upcoming international campaign in Dubai this December.

WA Indoor Target National Champions

• Compound Men: 1 Jannie Meuwesen, 2 AJ Groenewald, 3 Evan Meyer.

• Compound Women: 1 Elisabeth Taljaard, 2 Jacqueline Coetzee, 3 Nicolene Kruger.

• Para Compound Men: 1 De Villiers Visser, 2 Alvin Iita, 3 JL du Toit.

• Para Compound Women: Saimi Shilunga.

• Compound Men 50+: 1 Louan Groenewald, 2 Marinus Kruger, 3 Moritz Hoff.

• Compound Women 50+: Ilana Malan.

• Barebow Men: Lutz Wahlers

• Compound Boys Under 15: 1 Adriaan van Wyk, 2 Janko du Plessis.

• Compound Boys Under 13: Rainar Kruger.

IFAA Challenges Competitors

The momentum rolled straight into the next day. On 4 October, the International Field Archery Association (IFAA) Indoor Nationals was held at the same venue, marking the third time this specific format has been hosted in Namibia.

With minor exceptions, the roster of archers returned to the line to face a fresh test. While athletes still shot a total of 120 scoring arrows, the IFAA format shifted the challenge to a 20-yard distance (roughly 18 metres) utilising a five-spot target instead of the standard three-spot.

IFAA Indoor National Champions

At the conclusion of Day 2, the newly crowned IFAA Indoor National Champions were:

• Compound Male Bowhunter Unlimited: Rainar Kruger.

• Junior Male Bowhunter Unlimited: Adriaan van Wyk.

• Junior Male Freestyle Unlimited: Janko du Plessis.

• Adult Male Bowhunter Unlimited: Marinus Kruger.

• Adult Female Freestyle Unlimited: 1 Elizabeth Taljaard, 2 Jacqueline Coetzee, 3 Ilana Malan.

• Adult Male Freestyle Unlimited: 1 Jannie Meuwesen, 2 AJ Groenewald, 3 Evan Meyer.

• Veteran Male Freestyle Unlimited: Louan Groenewald.

• Veteran Male Bowhunter-Recurve: Lutz Wahlers.

• Senior Male Freestyle Unlimited: Moritz Hoff.

Organised by the archery clubs, the weekend successfully underscored the booming growth and diversity of Namibian archery proving that whether they are taking their first competitive steps or gearing up for international waters, local archers are right on target.

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