Reigning champs speak Catching up with our sportsmen and –women award winners As the 2016 MTC/Namibia Sports Commission sport awards are drawing closer, Sport Wrap takes you through the life of the reigning sportsman and -woman''s life after being crowned as the winners last year. Despite losing his IBO Super Bantamweight world belt that he won last year to Mexico''s Moises Chucky Flores in their title unification in June, the 2015 Sportsman and Sports Achiever of the Year Paulus ''The Rock'' Ambunda did not sit idle after the crown, but took a decision to invest back to the community. Ambunda said although he is based in Windhoek and gives a lot of assistance to upcoming boxers in the city, he occasionally also gives back to upcoming sports stars from his home village.
“Winning the award meant a lot to me and I have not sat back. I decided to plough back into the community and the people that always support me.
“I have been helping upcoming boxers in Windhoek but have also done so back at my home village when they have sport events. But, because I am based in Windhoek I have mainly been assisting out here,” he said.
The reigning winner said “whoever will scoop this year''s award should remain humble and work hard to retain their titles.”
He indicated that the award - being a competition - can be won by anybody and it is a dream of every sportsperson to achieve, but “it also comes with hard work. For this year''s awards let the best sportsman and -woman win.”
However, Ambunda certainly has his own favourite that he hopes to see crowned at this year''s awards.
“The sportsperson that stole my heart this year is Ananias Shikongo. I personally know him and he is a hard working athlete who has proven to the world that hard work pays off.
“For me he deserves to win the sportsman of the year with disability, as well as the achiever award,” said Ambunda.
Reigning sportswoman of the year Michelle Kunzle has competed at different stages and says “I would love to win this title again. I have worked really hard and achieved many good results.”
She however pointed out that every sportswoman deserves a chance to win the prestigious title as Sportswoman of the Year.
A horse rider, Kunzle said after being honoured at the awards last year, she had a “very successful” year of show jumping.
“I have not only competed in Namibia, but also in Mauritius and Egypt. In Egypt I won one of the biggest achievements so far… not only winning the Grand Prix, but also being awarded the best African Rider to compete at the show,” she said, adding that in addition to the continental awards, she has also dominated most of the show jumping events in the country.
Despite being busy with her own events, she has also been offering coaching lessons. “Coaching my students is the best feeling and it is so rewarding to see them achieve goals they only dream of.
“There are a few pupils who might qualify for the youth Olympics; this will be the very first time for Namibian show jumpers to compete at such a level and I am super excited as a coach to try my utmost to get the kids and juniors the best training and preparation for this,” she said.
She added that with every trip away from home to other countries she brings back more experience and can then better train the riders back home.
Kunzle indicated that it is very important that a sportsperson does not simply rely on good results and earning some money in one''s sport.
“Unfortunately one always has ups and downs and one can only be successful for so many years. We also get older and cannot always perform at our peak.
“As a sportsperson it is important that one is humble, respectful and always a good example to other athletes,” she said.
The horse rider''s hero in the sporting world is her fellow countrywoman Johanna Benson, “she is truly incredible and I look up to her in every way.
“I know how many times in my life I wanted to quit or give up because I did not believe in myself.
“Benson makes the best of every day and she shows the world that where there is a will there is way,” she praised her hero.
Benson
The four-time sportswoman of the year with disability Johanna Benson also had a busy year since she received her fourth award in that category last year.
“I took part in many races and have achieved lots of victories and I am sure with all my participation I have brought pride to my country,” she said.
Since last year September, Benson has also ploughed back into her community from her hometown Walvis Bay.
“I launched the Johanna Benson Foundation on 4 December 2015 and an opened an office of the foundation at 52 Tunacor Street, Kuisebmond.
“I donated N$5 000 to the Roman Catholic Church in Kuisebmond, and N$10 000 to the Sunshine Centre in Walvis Bay,” she said.
Despite not revealing who her favourite sportsperson is, she pointed out that every Namibian sport person in their respective categories have done a great job.
“If it was up to me I would award each and every woman and man with the sportswoman or sportsman of the year award, but since that is impossible I will say may the best of the best be awarded with the sportswoman or sportsman of the year,” she concluded.
The sportsman of the year with disability and sport achiever of the year, Ruben Gowaseb also took part in different marathon races in the country.
KAINO NGHTIONGO