Novice national champions crowned at the coast
Rhythmic gymnastics
Namibian Gymnastics Federation’s (NGF) rhythmic section crowned its national champions for the year in the novice Levels 1 to 3 during a tournament hosted by Walvis Bay Gymnastics Club (WBGC) last weekend.
The two-day event brought together over 200 gymnasts from nine clubs, including hosts WBGC, Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics, Parkies Gymnastics, International School of Walvis Bay Gymnastics, Windhoek Rhythmic, Oceanview Rhythmic, Tsumeb Gymnastics, Atlantic Gymnastics and Infinity Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Gymnasts competed in hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon routines, showcasing strong technical control and consistency across various age divisions for top honours.
WBGC tops medals tally
After the routines, WBGC emerged as the overall top-performing club, having collected the most medals across all disciplines. Windhoek Rhythmic Club followed closely in second place, while Elite finished third.
Reflecting on the tournament, event organiser and WBGC head coach Roumi Kostin praised the steady growth of the sport in Namibia.
“Rhythmic gymnastics has grown tremendously over the past few years. We separated the national competition into two parts, hosting the novice section last weekend and the advanced section [Levels 4 to Senior Olympic] the weekend before,” she said.
Kostin added that this approach ensures every gymnast gets a fair opportunity to shine, as the nationals serve as a vital foundation for the sport’s future in the country.
Gymnasts were recognised for their outstanding performances at the competition and throughout the year across all three levels.
Trophy winners of the year
Level 3 (U11): Elinka Botes (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Level 2 (U9): Mieke Pinaar (WBGC).
Level 1 (U9): Gianna Itewa (Elite).
Event champions
Level 3 (U9): Helena Kaulinge (WBGC).
Level 2 (U11): Ivannah Shivute (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Level 1 (U11): Sydie Munenguni (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Overall winners in respective sections
Level 3
Level 3 (Over 11 years): 1 Lienke Holmes (Oceanview), 2 Lé-Yah Cloete (Parkies), 3 Lomé Jansen van Vuuren (Parkies).
Level 3 (U11): 1 Elinka Botes (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Emily Stefanus (WBGC), 3 Lindiwe Taanyanda (WBGC).
Level 3 (U10): 1 Luanri Human (WBGC), 2 Kaveitjike Uhongara (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Mia Iipinge (Parkies).
Level 3 (U9): 1 Helena Kaulinge (WBGC), 2 Zooey Martopo (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Mia Bruwer (Parkies).
Level 3 (U8): 1 Kirah Kooper (Elite), 2 Matea Strauss (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Benedicta Nangolo (WBGC).
Level 2
Level 2 (Over 11 years): 1 Dhanyata !Omes (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Lily-Yana Alberts (Elite), 3 Alisha Ellis (Parkies).
Level 2 (U11): 1 Ivannah Shivute (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Carien van Tonder (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Elshunay Strauss (Parkies).
Level 2 (U10): 1 Leah Geyser (WBGC), 2 Xené Swarts (Parkies), 3 Hendrisha Stephanus (International School).
Level 2 (U9): 1 Mieke Pinaar (WBGC), 2 Justina Iikela (Atlantic Gymnastics), 3 Miandrie Brand (Tsumeb Gymnastics).
Level 2 (U8): 1 Azalia Kotze (WBGC), 2 Natalia ||Naobes (Elite), 3 Kyrah Fourie (WBGC).
Level 2 (U10): 1 Sabina Iiyambo (International School), 2 Erle Coetzee (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Caitlyn Louw (Atlantic).
Level 1
Level 1 (Over 11 years): 1 Ndahafa Hsheela (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Level 1 (U11): 1 Sydie Munenguni (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Faith Nangolo (Parkies).
Level 1 (U9): 1 Gianna Itewa (Elite), 2 Liane Engels (Parkies), 3 Isabella Kiimba (International School).
Level 1 (U10): 1 Jumicia Jooste (Oceanview), 2 Cornelia Kazuvire (International School).
Level 1 (U8): 1 Karin Shikongo (Parkies), 2 Anisha Bwalya (Parkies), 3 Avery Tjituka (International School).
Level 1 (U7): 1 Tileni Negonga (Parkies), 2 Allison Kiimba (International School), 3 Isabel Fernades (WBGC).
Level 1 (U6): 1 Lika-Mari Jansen van Vuuren (WBGC), 2 Kiara Koopman (Elite), 3 Connie-Rose Shipehfi (Elite).
The two-day event brought together over 200 gymnasts from nine clubs, including hosts WBGC, Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics, Parkies Gymnastics, International School of Walvis Bay Gymnastics, Windhoek Rhythmic, Oceanview Rhythmic, Tsumeb Gymnastics, Atlantic Gymnastics and Infinity Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Gymnasts competed in hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon routines, showcasing strong technical control and consistency across various age divisions for top honours.
WBGC tops medals tally
After the routines, WBGC emerged as the overall top-performing club, having collected the most medals across all disciplines. Windhoek Rhythmic Club followed closely in second place, while Elite finished third.
Reflecting on the tournament, event organiser and WBGC head coach Roumi Kostin praised the steady growth of the sport in Namibia.
“Rhythmic gymnastics has grown tremendously over the past few years. We separated the national competition into two parts, hosting the novice section last weekend and the advanced section [Levels 4 to Senior Olympic] the weekend before,” she said.
Kostin added that this approach ensures every gymnast gets a fair opportunity to shine, as the nationals serve as a vital foundation for the sport’s future in the country.
Gymnasts were recognised for their outstanding performances at the competition and throughout the year across all three levels.
Trophy winners of the year
Level 3 (U11): Elinka Botes (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Level 2 (U9): Mieke Pinaar (WBGC).
Level 1 (U9): Gianna Itewa (Elite).
Event champions
Level 3 (U9): Helena Kaulinge (WBGC).
Level 2 (U11): Ivannah Shivute (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Level 1 (U11): Sydie Munenguni (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Overall winners in respective sections
Level 3
Level 3 (Over 11 years): 1 Lienke Holmes (Oceanview), 2 Lé-Yah Cloete (Parkies), 3 Lomé Jansen van Vuuren (Parkies).
Level 3 (U11): 1 Elinka Botes (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Emily Stefanus (WBGC), 3 Lindiwe Taanyanda (WBGC).
Level 3 (U10): 1 Luanri Human (WBGC), 2 Kaveitjike Uhongara (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Mia Iipinge (Parkies).
Level 3 (U9): 1 Helena Kaulinge (WBGC), 2 Zooey Martopo (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Mia Bruwer (Parkies).
Level 3 (U8): 1 Kirah Kooper (Elite), 2 Matea Strauss (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Benedicta Nangolo (WBGC).
Level 2
Level 2 (Over 11 years): 1 Dhanyata !Omes (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Lily-Yana Alberts (Elite), 3 Alisha Ellis (Parkies).
Level 2 (U11): 1 Ivannah Shivute (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Carien van Tonder (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Elshunay Strauss (Parkies).
Level 2 (U10): 1 Leah Geyser (WBGC), 2 Xené Swarts (Parkies), 3 Hendrisha Stephanus (International School).
Level 2 (U9): 1 Mieke Pinaar (WBGC), 2 Justina Iikela (Atlantic Gymnastics), 3 Miandrie Brand (Tsumeb Gymnastics).
Level 2 (U8): 1 Azalia Kotze (WBGC), 2 Natalia ||Naobes (Elite), 3 Kyrah Fourie (WBGC).
Level 2 (U10): 1 Sabina Iiyambo (International School), 2 Erle Coetzee (Windhoek Rhythmic), 3 Caitlyn Louw (Atlantic).
Level 1
Level 1 (Over 11 years): 1 Ndahafa Hsheela (Windhoek Rhythmic).
Level 1 (U11): 1 Sydie Munenguni (Windhoek Rhythmic), 2 Faith Nangolo (Parkies).
Level 1 (U9): 1 Gianna Itewa (Elite), 2 Liane Engels (Parkies), 3 Isabella Kiimba (International School).
Level 1 (U10): 1 Jumicia Jooste (Oceanview), 2 Cornelia Kazuvire (International School).
Level 1 (U8): 1 Karin Shikongo (Parkies), 2 Anisha Bwalya (Parkies), 3 Avery Tjituka (International School).
Level 1 (U7): 1 Tileni Negonga (Parkies), 2 Allison Kiimba (International School), 3 Isabel Fernades (WBGC).
Level 1 (U6): 1 Lika-Mari Jansen van Vuuren (WBGC), 2 Kiara Koopman (Elite), 3 Connie-Rose Shipehfi (Elite).
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article