NUST Student Clinches Gymnastics World Championship
...First for Namibia in a Decade
For the first time in ten years, Namibia once again graced the stage of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, thanks to the determination and talent of Emilia Ekandjo. She is a professional gymnast and Procurement and Supply Chain Management student at NUST.
From 20–24 August 2025, Ekandjo competed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, ending Namibia’s decade-long absence from the event. She follows in the footsteps of Nicole Bierbach, who last represented Namibia at the World Championships in 2014. “Carrying the hopes of my country after such a long absence is a weight I feel deeply, but it’s a weight I carry with a lot of pride. Breaking this silence is not just my achievement but a victory for every aspiring rhythmic gymnast in Namibia,” she reflected.
Her journey mirrors NUST’s own. Just as Ekandjo worked tirelessly to put Namibia back on the global gymnastics map, NUST is celebrating its first decade as a fully-fledged university, a period defined by laying foundations, proving its place, and pushing boundaries. “NUST’s first decade was about building a foundation, gaining recognition, and proving its place on the academic map—much like my own journey in a sport where Namibia was not yet visible. We have grown together, both striving for excellence and pushing beyond boundaries, and now we are both stepping onto a global stage to show what we are capable of achieving,” she said.
Ekandjo’s qualification did not come easily. After impressing at the African Championships in Egypt, she secured her place among over 100 gymnasts from 73 countries. Still, the announcement that she would represent Namibia at the World Championships felt surreal until the moment her federation president told her to “start preparing for Brazil.”
But beyond medals or rankings, Ekandjo has her eyes on legacy. “My greatest hope is to leave a legacy of inspiration and possibility. As a student-athlete, I want to show that excellence in sports and academics can go hand-in-hand. For Namibia, I strive to be a spark that ignites a lasting passion for rhythmic gymnastics, proving that with dedication and hard work, our athletes belong on the world stage,” she said.
As Namibia marks this return after a decade, and as NUST celebrates ten years of academic excellence, Ekandjo’s story is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of big dreams—whether on the mat or in the lecture hall—requires sacrifice, resilience, and a balance of confidence.
