Two Namibian junior athletes, Charlene Engelbrecht and Fred-Charles Pieterse will represent Namibia at the World Junior Championships set to take place in Barcelona, Spain from Tuesday, July 10 to Sunday, July 15.
The duo’s participation at the competition will not only be one of pride, but it will mark a nostalgic journey through the heart of Barcelona, where Namibia gained its first Olympic medals through Namibian sprinting legend and Athletics Namibia President, Frank Fredericks.
A total of 185 Athletics Member Federations and over 1 850 athletes have confirmed their participation at the world class event. Moreover, the World Junior Championships will also play host to the IAAF centenary celebrations.
Engelbrecht and Pieterse sealed their participation at the World Junior Championships following their good performances at the Coca Cola Namibia sponsored 2012 edition of the Confederation of African Athletics Southern Region (CAA SR) Junior Championships, which took place in Windhoek on April 28.
During the event Pieterse set a new national record for the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 14,30 seconds, while Engelbrecht was double champion in the women’s discus and shot put events.
During a pre-departure debrief Engelbrecht and Pieterse expressed their joy at being able to compete with the best junior athletes in the world.
“This is a dream come true for me to be able to participate at the World Junior Championships” remarked Engelbrecht. “We hope to make the nation proud” Pieterse added.
“Both youngsters are mature athletes with the potential to be future stars” noted Frank Slabbert, Secretary General of Athletics Namibia.
“Who knows perhaps we will see a new national record or two in Barcelona,” he added confidently. Engelbrecht will compete in the women’s discus event, whilst Pieterse will compete in the men’s 110m hurdles.