Eleven Namibian archers participated in the World Field Archery Championships in Potchefstroom, South Africa, from the 8th of October to the 12th of October 2018. A total of 412 archers from across the world took part in this 5-day event. Countries participating included South Africa, USA, Switzerland, Estonia, England and Scotland, just to name a few.
Jannie Meuwesen from Lüderitz competed in the toughest style in Field Archery and still walked away with the gold medal, being crowned the World Champion. Dirk de Bod from Windhoek, a scholar at Windhoek Gymnasium, had to tough out the junior boys’ freestyle category and also walked away with a gold medal. CF Brandt, a scholar at Welwitchia Private School, took on boys from Hungary with an Olympic recurve bow breaking every Namibian record standing and walked away with the gold medal and was crowned the World Champion.
JP Viljoen, a scholar at Windhoek Gymnasium, took part in the newest class in Field Archery, for ages 17-19, and smashed all Namibian records over 5 day period and took home a silver medal. Nanda Schoeman, a scholar at Windhoek Afrikaans Private School, also took home a silver medal competing in the junior female bow hunter unlimited class.
Some archers broke their personal best scores and 10 total Namibian records were shattered.
Results:
Adult Male Freestyle Unlimited Class
Jannie Meuwesen (Lüderitz) 1st place, gold medal, World Champion
Piet Zondagh (Windhoek) finished in the 20th place
Adult Male Bow Hunter Unlimited Class
Rene Rossler (Lüderitz) finished in 4th place
Adult Female Freestyle Unlimited Class
Beanta Viviers (Windhoek) finished in 16th place
Junior Male Freestyle Unlimited Class (age 13-17)
Dirk de Bod Jnr (Windhoek) 1st place, gold medal, World Champion
Young Adult Bow Hunter Unlimited Class (age 17-19)
JP Viljoen (Windhoek) finished 2nd place, silver medal
Junior Male Freestyle Recurve Class (age 13-17)
CF Brandt (Windhoek) finished 1st place, gold medal, World Champion
Adult Female Bow Hunter Unlimited Class
Liezl Schoeman (Windhoek) finished 6th place
Mel Rossler (Windhoek) finished 12th place
Junior Female Bow Hunter Unlimited Class (age 13-17)
Nanda Schoeman (Windhoek) finished 2nd place, silver medal
Namibian Records broken while in South Africa.
Liezl Schoeman in Animal Round 558
JP Viljoen in Field Round 506, Hunter Round 497, Animal 542
Dirk De Bod in Hunter Round 545
Jannie Meuwesen in Field Round 547, Hunter Round 549
CF Brandt in Field Round 456, Hunter Round 460, in Animal Round 542
Namibia and the Archery Association of Namibia are extremely proud of every single archer that participated in this big event. They endured extreme heat and exhaustion during this prestigious event and still managed to win their individual classes and broke many Namibian records.