Namibia parafencing eyes LA28 Paralympic Games
Parafencing
Namibia Parafencing Club, an affiliate of the Namibia Fencing Federation, has big dreams of someday representing the country at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games in the United States.
Founded last year by parafencers (also known as wheelchair fencers) Pandulo Sheehama, as director, and Shekinah Mpunwa as assistant director, the club has since grown from strength to strength and hosted numerous training sessions.
Mpunwa first got into the sport in 2023 when he encountered a group of United States (US) cyclists called Bidii Yetu and immediately fell in love with fencing.
Bidii Yetu, meaning “our resilience” in Swahili, was undertaking an endeavour to handcycle across five African countries (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique) in what is regarded as one of the longest handcycling events in the world.
Namibia’s first parafencing demo
Among the adventurers was US Marine veteran and Paralympian Jataya “Jay” Taylor, whose goal quickly shifted from adventure to creating visibility and raising awareness about disability in cycling and fencing, according to the US Fencing website.
“To fuel those dreams, Taylor partnered with the Denver Fencing Foundation (DFF), which sent her with ‘a whole bunch of equipment to take, to donate’ to the Wheelchair Users Association of Namibia, setting up that nation for a future that hopefully includes parafencing,” the website read.
Her fencing demonstration in Namibia would prove more impactful than she anticipated. It sparked a lasting impression on one of the pupils who watched in awe, a young man who would later take up the sport seriously.
That pupil was Shekinah Mpunwa, who went home and watched every video Taylor had suggested during her demos.
He then decided to form a parafencing club for others living with disabilities like himself. He has also trained with the Windhoek Fencing Club under the guidance of Namibian fencing coach Dillion Kotze, from whom he learnt the practical basics of the sport.
“I was so interested in fencing because it was something I could participate in, and I believe others can, too. So I formed this programme with [with Sheehama], driven by the desire to inspire and see other people with disabilities perform in this global sport that is rare in our country,” he said.
Mpunwa last year travelled to Brazil with two other parafencers, Anna Veijo and Pandulo Sheehama, to receive training at the Wheelchair Fencing Academy hosted by the Brazilian Fencing Confederation, where they were introduced to various training techniques and the nuances of épée, foil and sabre, according to World Para Fencing.
He thus encourages people with disabilities to take up the sport and join the club.
“We are looking to give training to interested individuals who can go out to the regions to set up clubs [and impart that knowledge]. Everyone can get involved in fencing, [both abled and differently abled],” he said.
Readying for international competitions
The parafencing club is currently hosting a training camp in Windhoek, in partnership with DFF fencing coach Jataya Taylor.
She arrived in Namibia from the US for the camp, running from 14 to 26 October, to prepare the club as it works towards participating in the Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
The athletes involved include Mpunwa, Nelson Maetja, Moses Kaxuxwena, Paulina Goagoses, Ndinah Kushinga and Anna Penofina.
Taylor forms part of the US’ African Parafencing Initiative, which aims to make Namibia a centre of excellence in the sport and encourage participation from neighbouring countries.
“The DFF in Colorado has taken a big step in sending me with International Fencing Federation (FIE)-certified gear, including their first fencing wheelchair, that will allow the athletes to fence internationally. This camp aims to get them ready for international competitions,” she said.
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Founded last year by parafencers (also known as wheelchair fencers) Pandulo Sheehama, as director, and Shekinah Mpunwa as assistant director, the club has since grown from strength to strength and hosted numerous training sessions.
Mpunwa first got into the sport in 2023 when he encountered a group of United States (US) cyclists called Bidii Yetu and immediately fell in love with fencing.
Bidii Yetu, meaning “our resilience” in Swahili, was undertaking an endeavour to handcycle across five African countries (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique) in what is regarded as one of the longest handcycling events in the world.
Namibia’s first parafencing demo
Among the adventurers was US Marine veteran and Paralympian Jataya “Jay” Taylor, whose goal quickly shifted from adventure to creating visibility and raising awareness about disability in cycling and fencing, according to the US Fencing website.
“To fuel those dreams, Taylor partnered with the Denver Fencing Foundation (DFF), which sent her with ‘a whole bunch of equipment to take, to donate’ to the Wheelchair Users Association of Namibia, setting up that nation for a future that hopefully includes parafencing,” the website read.
Her fencing demonstration in Namibia would prove more impactful than she anticipated. It sparked a lasting impression on one of the pupils who watched in awe, a young man who would later take up the sport seriously.
That pupil was Shekinah Mpunwa, who went home and watched every video Taylor had suggested during her demos.
He then decided to form a parafencing club for others living with disabilities like himself. He has also trained with the Windhoek Fencing Club under the guidance of Namibian fencing coach Dillion Kotze, from whom he learnt the practical basics of the sport.
“I was so interested in fencing because it was something I could participate in, and I believe others can, too. So I formed this programme with [with Sheehama], driven by the desire to inspire and see other people with disabilities perform in this global sport that is rare in our country,” he said.
Mpunwa last year travelled to Brazil with two other parafencers, Anna Veijo and Pandulo Sheehama, to receive training at the Wheelchair Fencing Academy hosted by the Brazilian Fencing Confederation, where they were introduced to various training techniques and the nuances of épée, foil and sabre, according to World Para Fencing.
He thus encourages people with disabilities to take up the sport and join the club.
“We are looking to give training to interested individuals who can go out to the regions to set up clubs [and impart that knowledge]. Everyone can get involved in fencing, [both abled and differently abled],” he said.
Readying for international competitions
The parafencing club is currently hosting a training camp in Windhoek, in partnership with DFF fencing coach Jataya Taylor.
She arrived in Namibia from the US for the camp, running from 14 to 26 October, to prepare the club as it works towards participating in the Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
The athletes involved include Mpunwa, Nelson Maetja, Moses Kaxuxwena, Paulina Goagoses, Ndinah Kushinga and Anna Penofina.
Taylor forms part of the US’ African Parafencing Initiative, which aims to make Namibia a centre of excellence in the sport and encourage participation from neighbouring countries.
“The DFF in Colorado has taken a big step in sending me with International Fencing Federation (FIE)-certified gear, including their first fencing wheelchair, that will allow the athletes to fence internationally. This camp aims to get them ready for international competitions,” she said.
– [email protected]
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