THE Swakopmund Mole in Namibia recently hosted a thrilling and competitive Beach Volleyball tournament, attracting a wide array of participants from across the country. A total of 59 teams entered. Sponsored by Liquifruit and co-ordinated by the Namibian Volleyball Federation, DTS Beach Volleyball, and the Swakopmund Beach Volleyball Academy, the event proved to be an exciting spectacle for both players and spectators alike. The tournament featured five main categories, showcasing diverse talent and providing a dynamic atmosphere over the two-day event. Social Category (Sunday) The Social category, played exclusively on Sunday, offered a fun and relaxed atmosphere for all involved. While the competitive categories had intense action, the social games were all about enjoyment and camaraderie. Participants took to the beach to engage in friendly matches, where the focus was not only on winning but rather on having fun and connecting with fellow Beach Volleyball enthusiasts. The laid-back nature of the social event made it a perfect way to end the tournament, creating a lively and festive environment for all ages to enjoy. U19 Girls’ Category The u19 Girls category showcased some up and coming young talent from across Namibia. The competition was fierce, with many promising athletes displaying their impressive skills. Among the standout performers were Isabel von Wietersheim and Lilly Marschall, who emerged as the champions of the category. The young pair, aged only 14, displayed remarkable teamwork and fight, not giving away any points for free. Von Wietersheim and Marschall’s victory not only solidified their place as the top young female players in Namibia but also highlighted the potential of the next generation of female beach volleyball athletes. Their success was a testament to their dedication and the growing support for women’s volleyball in the country. U19 Boys’ Category The u19 Boys category was one of the most closely contested of the tournament. Many teams showed significant promise, but the story of the tournament was David Uushona and Ally Alfons, who were competing together for the first time. Despite their relative inexperience as a pair, Uushona and Alfons improved with every game, displaying excellent adaptability and quickly understanding the tricks of Beach Volleyball. Their perseverance and quick learning allowed them to defeat more seasoned opponents, culminating in a well- earned victory in the finals. Women’s Category The Women’s category featured a series of close and competitive matches, with teams battling it out for supremacy. The games were intense, and every point was hard-earned, highlighting the growing strength of women’s beach volleyball in Namibia. The level of competition was a sign of the sport’s development, and it was clear that women’s volleyball is continuing to grow both locally and regionally. Men’s Category The Men’s category was perhaps the most exciting of the entire event, with any of the top 10 of the 19 registered teams possessing the quality to claim the championship. However, the tournament was ultimately earned by the top-ranked South African duo, Danilo von Ludwiger and Heiko Güther. Their journey to the finals was far from easy, as they fought through tie-breaks in both the quarterfinals and semi-finals, overcoming tough competition at every stage. In the final, they faced off against the fiery pair of Jura Krafft and Jan Erik Sack, who were determined to secure the win. Despite the pressure and intensity of the match, von Ludwiger and Güther’s experience and resilience saw them emerge victorious, securing the top spot and cementing their reputation as one of the best teams in the region. A special mention should go to Max Krafft and Luca Kesselmann, who as a under 19 team took the bronze medal vs the Pfeiffer Twins, this after winning a tough quarter final vs Tony Oral and Elias from Botswana and pushing von Ludwiger and Güther to their limit in the semi-final. The youngest competitor of the men’s draw, Jura Krafft (16), played phenomenal volleyball all day and deservedly made the finals with his partner Jan Eric Sak. Weather and conditions The weather played a significant role throughout the tournament. On Day 1, players faced a challenging North West wind, which added an extra layer of difficulty to the matches, with players needing to adapt to the shifting conditions. By Day 2, the heat intensified, but the weather cooled down just in time for the finals, providing a more comfortable environment for the concluding matches. However, the action on the court remained just as heated, with every team fighting for their place on the podium. Conclusion The Beach Volleyball tournament at Swakopmund Mole was a resounding success, featuring incredible talent across all categories and a passionate display of sportsmanship. From the fun-filled social games to the intense battles in the competitive categories, the event highlighted both the growth of beach volleyball in Namibia and the high level of talent in the region. With standout performances from young athletes like Isabel von Wietersheim and Lilly Marschall, and a thrilling men’s final between South Africa’s von Ludwiger and Güther and the determined Krafft and Sack, the tournament showcased the exciting future of the sport in Southern Africa. Results Social: Peter & Lena Brinkmann Sina Hofmann & Levin Schmitz Lukas Ahrens & Patrik Henckert Ralette Miller & Francois Theron U19 Girls Isabel von Wietersheim & Lilly Mraschall Dania Diekmann & Nora Rogl Lena Putzler & Ronja Fechter Juli Welge & Vicki Missel U19 Boys David Uutona & Ally Alfonas Marcel Diekmann & Mirco Putzler Mischa von Wenzel & Juri von Wenzel Leo Kesselmann & Roman Dainat Women Lea Paucksch & Janka Meyer Maggie Heita & Pumi Nangombe Liina Feliks & Sylvia Kamanya Gabriella Ritzdorf & Carmen Cuschmann Men Danilo von Ludwiger & Heiko Güther Jura Krafft (16) & Jan Eric Sak Max Krafft (18) & Luca Kesselmann (18) Fabian Pfeiffer & Daniel Pfeiffer Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy

Liquifruit Mole Beach Volleyball at Swakopmund

Lea Paucksch & Janka Meyer The Beach Volleyball tournament at Swakopmund Mole was a resounding success, featuring incredible talent across all categories and a passionate display of sportsmanship. The Social category, played exclusively on Sunday, offered a fun and relaxed atmosphere for all involved. While the competitive categories had intense action, the social games were […]

Lea Paucksch & Janka Meyer

The Beach Volleyball tournament at Swakopmund Mole was a resounding success, featuring incredible talent across all categories and a passionate display of sportsmanship.

The Social category, played exclusively on Sunday, offered a fun and relaxed atmosphere for all involved. While the competitive categories had intense action, the social games were all about enjoyment and camaraderie.

Marcel Diekmann & Mirco Putzler

U19 Girls’ Category

Social Category (Sunday)

Maggie Heita & Pumi Nangombe

The laid-back nature of the social event made it a perfect way to end the tournament, creating a lively and festive environment for all ages to enjoy.

U19 Boys

U19 Boys’ Category

Participants took to the beach to engage in friendly matches, where the focus was not only on winning but rather on having fun and connecting with fellow Beach Volleyball enthusiasts.

The u19 Boys category was one of the most closely contested of the tournament. Many teams showed significant promise, but the story of the tournament was David Uushona and Ally Alfons, who were competing together for the first time.

Liina Feliks & Sylvia Kamanya

David Uutona & Ally Alfonas

Men

From the fun-filled social games to the intense battles in the competitive categories, the event highlighted both the growth of beach volleyball in Namibia and the high level of talent in the region.

Women

The Men’s category was perhaps the most exciting of the entire event, with any of the top 10 of the 19 registered teams possessing the quality to claim the championship. However, the tournament was ultimately earned by the top-ranked South African duo, Danilo von Ludwiger and Heiko Güther.

Results

THE Swakopmund Mole in Namibia recently hosted a thrilling and competitive Beach Volleyball tournament, attracting a wide array of participants from across the country.

Men’s Category

Leo Kesselmann & Roman Dainat

The Women’s category featured a series of close and competitive matches, with teams battling it out for supremacy. The games were intense, and every point was hard-earned, highlighting the growing strength of women’s beach volleyball in Namibia.

The youngest competitor of the men’s draw, Jura Krafft (16), played phenomenal volleyball all day and deservedly made the finals with his partner Jan Eric Sak.

Gabriella Ritzdorf & Carmen Cuschmann

The u19 Girls category showcased some up and coming young talent from across Namibia. The competition was fierce, with many promising athletes displaying their impressive skills.

With standout performances from young athletes like Isabel von Wietersheim and Lilly Marschall, and a thrilling men’s final between South Africa’s von Ludwiger and Güther and the determined Krafft and Sack, the tournament showcased the exciting future of the sport in Southern Africa.

A total of 59 teams entered. Sponsored by Liquifruit and co-ordinated by the Namibian Volleyball Federation, DTS Beach Volleyball, and the Swakopmund Beach Volleyball Academy, the event proved to be an exciting spectacle for both players and spectators alike.

U19 Girls

Among the standout performers were Isabel von Wietersheim and Lilly Marschall, who emerged as the champions of the category. The young pair, aged only 14, displayed remarkable teamwork and fight, not giving away any points for free.

A special mention should go to Max Krafft and Luca Kesselmann, who as a under 19 team took the bronze medal vs the Pfeiffer Twins, this after winning a tough quarter final vs Tony Oral and Elias from Botswana and pushing von Ludwiger and Güther to their limit in the semi-final.

Mischa von Wenzel & Juri von Wenzel

Their perseverance and quick learning allowed them to defeat more seasoned opponents, culminating in a well- earned victory in the finals.

Peter & Lena Brinkmann
Sina Hofmann & Levin Schmitz
Lukas Ahrens & Patrik Henckert
Ralette Miller & Francois Theron

Their journey to the finals was far from easy, as they fought through tie-breaks in both the quarterfinals and semi-finals, overcoming tough competition at every stage.

Isabel von Wietersheim & Lilly Mraschall
Dania Diekmann & Nora Rogl
Lena Putzler & Ronja Fechter
Juli Welge & Vicki Missel

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In the final, they faced off against the fiery pair of Jura Krafft and Jan Erik Sack, who were determined to secure the win.

The weather played a significant role throughout the tournament. On Day 1, players faced a challenging North West wind, which added an extra layer of difficulty to the matches, with players needing to adapt to the shifting conditions. By Day 2, the heat intensified, but the weather cooled down just in time for the finals, providing a more comfortable environment for the concluding matches. However, the action on the court remained just as heated, with every team fighting for their place on the podium.

Weather and conditions

The tournament featured five main categories, showcasing diverse talent and providing a dynamic atmosphere over the two-day event.

Women’s Category

Conclusion

Social:

Von Wietersheim and Marschall’s victory not only solidified their place as the top young female players in Namibia but also highlighted the potential of the next generation of female beach volleyball athletes. Their success was a testament to their dedication and the growing support for women’s volleyball in the country.

The level of competition was a sign of the sport’s development, and it was clear that women’s volleyball is continuing to grow both locally and regionally.

Despite their relative inexperience as a pair, Uushona and Alfons improved with every game, displaying excellent adaptability and quickly understanding the tricks of Beach Volleyball.

Danilo von Ludwiger & Heiko Güther
Jura Krafft (16) & Jan Eric Sak
Max Krafft (18) & Luca Kesselmann (18)
Fabian Pfeiffer & Daniel Pfeiffer

Despite the pressure and intensity of the match, von Ludwiger and Güther’s experience and resilience saw them emerge victorious, securing the top spot and cementing their reputation as one of the best teams in the region.