Namibian Gymnasts Thorburn and Kooper Compete on World Stage in Jakarta

Namibian Gymnasts Thorburn and Kooper Compete on World Stage in Jakarta. Namibia’s artistic gymnasts Anne-Leen Thorburn and Immanuel Kooper are proudly representing the nation at the 53rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, currently underway in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 19 to 25 October. The global event brings together top gymnasts from around the world in a showcase of athleticism, precision, and artistry.

For Thorburn and Kooper, the championships mark an important step in their growing international careers. Both athletes recently participated in the World Challenge Cup in Paris, France, in September — a competition that helped them refine their routines in preparation for Jakarta.

At the national level, Kooper has been in top form, securing first place in the Men’s Senior category at the Namibia Gymnastics Federation Nationals earlier this month. Thorburn, who continues to demonstrate remarkable progress, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to compete internationally.

“It’s such a great honour to be able to go out on the world stage and perform alongside such excellent gymnasts. I just want to proudly represent Namibia while improving on my personal best,” Thorburn said. The young gymnast has improved her total score by 7.5 marks since last year and aims to further upgrade her routines ahead of next year’s African Championships and possibly the Commonwealth Games.

Kooper echoed similar sentiments, saying he feels honoured and privileged to compete among the world’s best. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and excited to represent at this level,” he said.

Their coach, Morihei Anderson, commended both gymnasts for their commitment, noting that the focus remains on confident execution and enjoyment of the experience.

The Namibian team’s presence in Jakarta reflects the steady rise of gymnastics in Namibia and serves as an inspiration to aspiring young athletes across the country.