Swakop Atlantic Wrestling Academy (SAWA) hosted its second consecutive annual Beach Wrestling Championship in Swakopmund on Saturday, using sport to promote inclusion and create opportunities for people who experience social exclusion.
Held under the theme “Bring the Sport to the People,” the 2026 championship brought together wrestlers from SAWA, Rundu Wrestling Club and Windhoek Wrestling Club to compete in an event conducted in line with United World Wrestling (UWW) standards.
According to SAWA founder and head coach Gabriel Gurirab, the academy took the initiative to host the beach wrestling championship as part of its commitment to making sport more accessible to the wider community. The event opened with a performance by the Atlantic Combine School drum majorettes, adding to the atmosphere before the wrestlers took to the sand to demonstrate their skills and mental toughness.
Although Windhoek Wrestling Club, Rundu Wrestling Club and the host academy were represented, other clubs, including After School Centre, Roots Gymnastics Wrestling and Otjiwarongo Wrestling Club, could not attend because of late logistical arrangements. This reduced the level of competition, but the participating athletes still had an opportunity to showcase their beach wrestling abilities.
Competitors received gold, silver and bronze medals for their performances. Jacques Le Roux of Windhoek Wrestling Club claimed the Golden Trophy for the best overall beach wrestling performance, while SAWA’s Denzel Haraseb was recognised as the second-best performer.
Gurirab thanked the Swakopmund Municipality, particularly Community Development Officer Bonni Oaseb, for continued support through donations aimed at reducing social exclusion in the community. SAWA also acknowledged the contributions of Anke Erasmus of the Namibia Wrestling Federation, beach wrestling expert Stefan Le Roux and federation administrator John Erasmus.
Through the annual championship, SAWA aims to bring wrestling closer to the public, encourage participation and strengthen the sport’s development in the Erongo Region. Photo credits: SAWA
By Rudi Bowe
