Denzel to bedazzle athletic fans with speed

Athletics
Rising Zimbabwean track star Denzel Ngavi will be one of may top athletes in action at this year's Open Athletics Championships in Swakopmund
Otis Daniels
  • 2 Days Ago 19 November 2024
Rising Zimbabwean track star Denzel Ngavi (19) will be among the headline attractions at this year’s edition of the Open Athletics Championships, set to take place at the Vineta Sports Stadium in Swakopmund.

The premier event, sanctioned by Athletics Namibia and organised by the Athletics Development Club, is scheduled for 9–21 December 2024. It promises to be an electrifying showcase of athletic talent, with the potential for record-breaking performances.

According to Hennie Horn, coach and president of the Athletics Development Club, Ngavi announced on 12 November that he would compete in Namibia.

Horn highlighted that Ngavi has consistently improved his times and personal bests in the 200m and 400m events. “He set a personal best of 47.80 seconds in the 400m race the last time he competed and edged past Namibian champion Danny Boy Auchamub in July in Swakopmund. This performance followed his record-breaking run at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on 15 June 2024, where he clocked 22.7 seconds in the 200m and 48.38 seconds in the 400m.”

Born in 2005, Denzel began his athletic career as a long-distance runner in primary and secondary school. In 2016, he joined Mosi-Striders Club under the guidance of coach Raymond Sibako, a sports science teacher. His first international race was in Lusaka in 2021. Although he finished last, Denzel improved his time to 52.43 seconds. He returned the following year to finish third in Botswana, recording a time of 52.25 seconds.

He went on to become Zimbabwe’s fastest high school 400m athlete, earning the title of National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH) 400m King in March 2024 after winning the Under-20 Men’s 400m race in 48.37 seconds.

The Open Athletics Championships will also feature local athletes aiming to break Namibian age-group records and challenge South African school records, which are renowned for their world-class standards.

“The online entries are progressing well, with 200 athletes from across the country already registered. We expect to surpass the previous record of 600 entries,” said Horn.

He named several standout Namibian athletes to watch at this year’s event, including Saara Haindongo (800m and 1500m), Monika Kandjebo (1500m and 3000m), Linda Hailulu (800m), Mihescho Mouton (100m and 200m), Caleb Bessinger (100m and 200m), William van Wyk (400m and 200m), Anro Bouwer (High Jump), Gianco Kok (High Jump and Hurdles), Andre Oosthuizen (Shot Put Para), Hanro Wynjeterp (60m and Hurdles), Wihan Bruwer (100m and High Jump), Ansune Smith (Hammer Throw), Annelize Smit (Hammer Throw), and Victoria Jansen (100m).