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Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
SHAYNE Makota was the star of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) National Open Championships, taking gold in the 800m juniors’ race in 1 minute 53 seconds at White City Stadium on Saturday.
His run was one for the records. Few athletes have managed to record such a time in this distance. In second place was Brighton Sibanda in 2 minutes 1 second. Takudzwa Makushe (2 minutes 3 seconds) took the bronze.
More than 400 athletes competed in the 100-m, 110m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1 500m, 3 000m, 5 000m, 4x100m relay, mixed relay, ZITF Coca-Cola Four-Minute-Mile Challenge, long jump, triple jump, high jump, javelin, shotput and discus.
In the 800m girls’ contest, Silence Ndou was first in 2 minutes 48 seconds. Velile Sibanda took silver in 2 minutes 49 seconds.
In the 3 000m men’s competition, Benjamin Sibanda hit the finishing line in 9 minutes 48 seconds, with Abel Moyo following in 9 minutes 57 seconds. The bronze medal went to Gratitude Mudimba in 10 minutes 39 seconds.
In the 1 500m senior men’s division, Freedom Banda won gold in 4 minutes 6 seconds, while Albert Sigele came second in 4 minutes 17 seconds, with bronze going to Washington Chaminuka in 4 minutes and 35 seconds.
In the field events, Awakhiwe Mdlongwa took first place in the women’s high jump, clearing 1,35m. First in the women’s shotput contest was Ntombikayise Sibanda, with Sikholumusa Makombe in second position. The championships also had five runners qualifying for the Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile. The final will be held during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair later this month.
Munyaradzi Zhou won the qualifier in 4 minutes 23,69 seconds. Thabo Mapfumo followed in 4 minutes 28.93 seconds, with Freedom Banda posting 4 minutes 29,12 seconds to take third place.
The athletes’ turnout was commended by organisers, who said it was a show of how the local athletics scene is growing.
Bulawayo Athletics Board chairperson, Watson Madanyika, said it was a good event.
“The turnout was very pleasing. Everything went well and according to plan and it goes to show that athletics is growing and getting better. We are very pleased,” said Madanyika. – @NkosieLegend
Online Reporter