Wrestling push needs global exposure

Namibia Wrestling Federation secretary general Anke Erasmus says Namibia’s wrestling development for the Road to LA 28 requires increased international exposure, training camps and improved logistical support for elite athletes. Erasmus says high-level international competition must be a priority going forward and it must include flights, accommodation and registration fees. She says this is needed for Namibia’s elite wrestlers. “The accomplishment at the South Africa (SA) Greco-Roman Nationals further drives this development. Winning and achieving success on a regional level as a young athlete builds capacity, international drive and dedication for long-term success. “It crates investment and commitment from the athletes and coaches,” Erasmus stresses. On changes made to the team’s training regimen leading to the SA Greco-Roman (GR) tournament, Erasmus says: “The nationals were a GR specific tournament only. We got news that SA changed from the usual combined nationals to a separate GR event in February this year. “Ever since, coaches started incorporating weekly GR specific training. Leading up to the event last month, the team focused on GR techniques and training only.” She adds: “The last two to three weeks and two extra training sessions were added per week and joint weekly training between clubs started to build up to the pace and intensity of the tournament days.” On whether coaches have adapted to international wrestling trends, Erasmus says: “There are no international trends. It is Olympic style. In Namibia we focus on both freestyle and GR. “Wrestlers are experienced in and take part in both styles during competitions. Beach wrestling has been added as an Olympic style and we have delved into a bit more beach wrestling as it is a newer wrestling style,” Erasmus says. The secretary general says the extra training days and joint build-up assisted with the team’s general fitness. “We did not maintain a 100% success rate, wrestlers are entered in various categories by their coaches depending on their level and development. “Some wrestlers were entered in three categories and thus had the opportunity to achieve more podium finishes.” She says Lafras Uys competed in three categories, under-20, junior president and senior category. “Some wrestlers returned home with no medal, but with invaluable experience that now better positions and prepares them for future events,” Erasmus says. On the wrestlers’ mental resilience, Erasmus says coaches work with the wrestlers on a consistent basis, while matches and performance are consistently monitored, tracked and tweaked. “This gives them the edge to speak into each wrestler’s development and mental preparation. “We appointed Francois Dames as the mental and high performance coach of the federation. He had mental preparation sessions and team talks with the team building up to the event.” On handling adversity or tight matches during the championship, Erasmus says: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. In true Namibian fashion, we pull together during tight matches. “All members work together, fill in for each other, and step up where needed,” she emphasises. “Competing at high level events, giving early exposure to athletes and setting a clear pathway for success fuels the long-term development of the sport “Wrestling is one of the sport codes where athletes can really only start competing at continental and international events from 17 years. Therefore, it’s crucial that we build slow and steady progress, setting attainable goals and consistent exposure.” She says this develops young athletes and makes them fall in love with the sport. “Without these events, athletes tire quickly, they give up and move into other sport codes if they don’t regularly see their hard work being rewarded. “At grassroots level, we are slowly establishing clubs in the regions and looking into creating a schools wrestling league where schools can compete against each other, motivate each other and train together more often.” Erasmus adds that wrestling is classified as a priority sports code in Namibia. “It is still in its developing phase and our biggest competition and further development opportunities include competing against SA clubs and teams.” She says for grassroots long-term development in young athletes, their immediate challenge lies in reliable transport and accommodation for the teams to regularly travel and compete in SA. “Some of the daily challenges range from daily meals, transport to training, a dedicated team house to assist with logistics, after hour sessions and a goal-related and high performance.” The post Wrestling push needs global exposure appeared first on The Namibian .