admin
Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province’s boxer Wiseman Tshuma opened his team’s 11th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games account on a good note as he shrugged off a challenge from Dignity Ncube to progress to the next stage. Tshuma’s bout against Matabeleland South’s Ncube was part of the five fights that were held at Makokoba’s Stanley Square yesterday. The budding Bulawayo pugilist who was the crowd favourite won on points with a unanimous decision from the judges in one of the liveliest bills of the day.
Tshuma who played to the gallery with his fancy footwork which he combined well with punches beat Ncube who was slightly taller than him with a number of blows.
The Matabeleland South boxer tried to stand his ground but could not match his opponent.
An elated Bulawayo boxing team official Philip “Striker” Ndlovu said they are looking forward to good displays from their boxers.
“Our aim is to contribute a significant number of medals to Team Bulawayo and our boxers are very ready. Tshuma who lost in the finals last year in Bindura started the campaign well and his win will instill self belief in other local boxers when they are in the ring,” said Ndlovu.
In other bouts, Rupiya Kudakwashe of Mashonaland Central knocked out Mashonaland East’s Terrence Mumba with Matabeleland North’s Ndodana Ncube advancing to the next stage after getting the better of Tanaka Matarutse from Mashonaland Central.
Michael Shoko of Mashonaland East also progressed to the next round after beating Midlands’ representative David Sibanda with another Midlands boxer Enias Mashona falling by the wayside after losing to Trade Nkomazawo of Masvingo.
The Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association’s technical director Petros Masiyambumbi said today’s matches would start at midday.
“We were supposed to have 30 fights but we ended up having only five. What delayed the start was the weigh in and medical tests so tomorrow (today), the doctors should be here at 7am and we are going to have weigh-ins after that. We are looking at having our first fight at 12pm,” Masiyambumbi said.
He said it would not be possible to have evening matches like they have done at some National Youth Games after receiving a directive against that from the Sport and Recreation Commission.
According to Masiyambumbi, the SRC threw away the idea of evening fights for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, both Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s volleyball teams had fine starts to their campaign.
The hosts’ women’s team beat Midlands 2-0 in their opening game after winning both sets with an identical 25-19 points and went on to hit Mashonaland East 2-1.
Defending champions Harare who are in Pool B got their campaign off to a winning start as well with 2-0 victories over Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North.
In the men’s category, Bulawayo had to come from a set down to overcome Mashonaland Central 2-1 before routing Matabeleland South 2-0.
Harare are also the reigning boys’ champions and registered a 2-0 win over Masvingo before falling to Mashonaland East by a similar score line.
Bulawayo boys’ coach Qinisa Fuyana said the weather had an effect on teams’ performances.
“There was some wind and it made playing very difficult. I am happy that despite the weather we managed to win our matches,” he said.
Results
Athletics: Women’s 800m Heat One: 1. Maumbe Tarisai, Mashonaland East (two minutes 25.30 seconds); 2. Convinience Chamboko, Mashonaland West (two minutes 26.07 seconds); 3. Panashe Utete, Midlands (two minutes 27.36 seconds)
Women’s 800m Heat Two: 1. Maryjoy Mudyiravanji, Midlands (two minutes 19.06 seconds); 2. Netsai Maketi, Manicaland (two minutes 21.09 seconds); 3. Shylete Chawera, Mashonaland Central (two minutes 21.80 seconds); 4. Monica Zavedho, Mashonaland East (two minutes 22.01 seconds); 5. Sibongile Nkomo, Matabeleland North (two minutes 25.96 seconds)
Men 100m Heat One: 1. Tafadzwa Mutariswa, Matabeleland South (10.87sec); 2. Pride Lusinga, Midlands (10.93sec); 3. Benson Gombe, Mashonaland East (11.02sec); 4. Wesly Gatsi, Matabeleland North (11.41sec)
Men 100m Heat Two: 1. Lloyd Mhiripiri, Harare (10.55sec); 2. Pride Mugwagwa, Bulawayo (11.29sec); 3. Marvel Musundire, Matabeleland South (11.43sec)
Men 100m Heat Three: 1. Tatenda Musarirwa, Midlands (10.71sec); 2. Clifford Charuka, Harare (11.15sec); 3. Worship Matongo, Masvingo (11.17sec)
Men 100m Heat Four: Michael Songore, Mashonaland East (10.91sec); 2. Sean Banda, Bulawayo (11.02); 3. Delight Ndlovu, Matabeleland South (11.59)
Boxing: Men – Wiseman Tshuma (Bulawayo) beat Dignity Ncube (Matabeleland South); Rupiya Kudakwashe (Mashonaland Central) knocked out Terrence Mumba (Mashonaland East); Ndodana Ncube (Matabeleland North) beat Tanaka Matarutse (Mashonaland Central); Michael Shoko (Mashonaland East beat David Sibanda (Mashonaland West); Trade Nkomazawo (Masvingo) beat Anias Mashona (Midlands)
Volleyball: Men – Bulawayo 2, Matabeleland South 0; Mashonaland West 2, Matabeleland North 0; Mashonaland West 1, Mashonaland Central 2; Harare 2, Masvingo 0; Bulawayo 2, Mashonaland Central 1
Women – Bulawayo 2, Midlands 0; Harare 2, Matabeleland South 0; Bulawayo 2, Mashonaland East 1; Mashonaland West 1, Manicaland 2; Midlands 2, Mashonaland West 0; Harare 2, Matabeleland North 0; Masvingo 2, Matabeleland South 0; Masvingo 2, Mashonaland Central 0
Online Reporter