Gowaseb wins Fastest Rugby Player Sprint
Rugby
The Red Bulls' speedster surprised friend and foe on Saturday.
Rehoboth Rugby Club’s Dino Gowaseb proved to be the speediest of them all as he took home the title of Sport Wrap’s Fastest Rugby Player, along with the prestigious Sport Wrap floating trophy and N$3 000 credited to his Afri-Wallet account. The special event was held during a break at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday, where sevens rugby teams from all NRU premier league clubs contested the inaugural Ongos Valley Sevens tournament.
Spectators were offered a unique opportunity to predict the winner and walk away with N$1 000 by placing a N$10 bet through Afri-Wallet – another exciting initiative to make the competition even more engaging. Megan Schiefer took home the prize.
The format of the sprint itself posed a tough challenge for the participants. The 60-metre race required sprinters to start by lying flat on the ground, with the ball placed 10 metres away. Each player had to jump up, sprint to the ball, pick it up cleanly, and complete the run by scoring a try.
Several sprinters struggled to scoop up the ball at close to full speed, resulting in a few unfortunate knock-ons that cut their chances short. Among them was Unam’s well-known speedster Shareave Titus, who lost some valuable milli-seconds as the ball almost escaped his initial grasp. Despite an explosive start, Titus had to settle for second spot.
Despite the demanding nature of the contest, Gowaseb, who goes by the nickname “Vouxi”, displayed remarkable skill and determination. The 22-year-old left his competitors behind, securing a comfortable victory and putting his name among Namibia’s top rugby talents.
“I had a lot of confidence going into the race,” Gowaseb said after clinching the win. “When I saw Shareave warming up, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
“Our coach, Jood Opperman, gave me some valuable advice on how to pick up the ball cleanly on the run, and that helped a lot. When I picked up the ball and looked to my right, I noticed Shareave wasn’t there, and I knew I had it in the bag.”
A stellar line-up
Fatigue, niggles and injuries during the sevens tournament prevented some of the pre-race favourites from entering the inaugural contest, while some of the qualified semi-finalist teams also elected to rather give their nominated contenders a much-needed rest period as possible before the knock-out matches.
Nevertheless, the sprint featured ten participants from rugby clubs all over the country, each bringing their best to the competition:
Phillip Haiduwa (Grootfontein)
Keno Shetukana (Grootfontein)
Penandino Kandjou (Unam)
Shareave Titus (Unam)
Elias Ninjemba (United)
Hitjitevi Tjerere (Coastal Dream Team)
Vaino Gamatham (Coastal Dream Team)
Daniello Coetzee (Western Suburbs)
Rashaad van Rooi (Dolphins)
Dino Gowaseb (Rehoboth Rugby Club)
Gowaseb’s victory was not just about speed, but also about technique and focus – qualities he has honed throughout his rugby career.
He began his rugby journey in grade 7 at Rehoboth’s Origo Primary School as a flank, before transitioning to hooker when he moved to M&K Gertze High School in 2018. He later switched to the backline in 2021, playing as a wing and fullback.
Since joining Rehoboth Rugby Club in 2023, Gowaseb has established himself as a versatile backline player and continues to make his mark on the Namibian rugby scene.
Spotlight on AfriWallet: The Digital Financial Game-Changer
The sprint event was supported by AfriWallet, a leading digital financial platform in Namibia that aims to eliminate the risks associated with handling cash.
Issues such as theft, loss and mismanagement can present significant challenges, and AfriWallet addresses these concerns by offering a secure and efficient way to manage transactions and payments. Similar to Cash App, AfriWallet provides users with features such as instant payments, fund transfers, and comprehensive account management without transaction fees.
AfriWallet’s real-time notifications and user-friendly tools for budgeting, investing, and charitable giving enhance financial security and convenience, making it a reliable solution for individuals and businesses alike. With platforms like AfriWallet, the reliance on physical cash is significantly reduced, helping to mitigate its associated risks.
What’s next for Sport Wrap?
The Sport Wrap Sprint is just the beginning. The organisers have committed to continuing with similar events that not only engage the players but also give spectators a chance to be part of the excitement.
Sport Wrap aims to offer more opportunities for fans to enjoy sports beyond just watching games, with attractive prizes up for grabs and interactive experiences planned for future events.
After his victory, Gowaseb expressed his gratitude towards Sport Wrap for creating the platform.
“I’m very grateful to Sport Wrap for coming up with these kinds of awards and ideas for us players to participate in. I’m ready to defend this title again next year and take on the fast players,” he said with a confident smile.
The success of the event has set the stage for more thrilling competitions and unforgettable moments. All eyes will be on Gowaseb to see if he can maintain his crown as Namibia’s fastest rugby player in the seasons to come.