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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) successfully held the Gift Chigwere Junior Championships at White City Stadium on Saturday.
Most of the top junior athletes from around Zimbabwe, attended the meet that served as a qualifier for the Africa Junior Championships that will take place in Zambia.
The Africa Junior Championships will run from April 29 to May 4 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. Bulawayo Athletics Board chairperson, Watson Madanyika says Saturday’s event was a success and the next stage is now to select athletes to represent the country in Zambia.
“The event was a huge success. We had our national selectors in attendance. They will now look at the results, and consider past performances before coming up with a team for the Africa Junior Championships. We want to send 100 athletes for the competition,” said Madanyika.
Thelma Mjinjwa won the 200m women’s race in a time of 24, 77 seconds while the men’s race went to national team athlete Denzel Siamulela who crossed the finishing line in 21, 23 seconds.
Langelihle Nkomo took the gold in the 3000 m race in 10 minutes 42 seconds.
Sprinter Privilege Bower crossed the Finish Line in 11, 86 seconds to win the 100m women’s race.
Samukeliso Ndebele was in second position with a time of 11, 93 seconds. In the men’s 100m, David Nyamufarira claimed pole position. He dashed to the finishing line in 10,18 seconds.
The 1500m men’s race that had a field of 25 athletes belonged to Andrew Ndlovu who finished in four minutes, six seconds. Bright Sibanda was not far behind claiming second position in four minutes, nine seconds. Takunda Mhere jumped 6, 99m to win gold in the men’s long jump.
The women’s gold in long jump went to Linnet Zembe who leaped 4,94 m. Takudzwa Manhanga jumped a height of 1,93m to win the men’s high jump.
Baldmin Holdings, whose founder and managing director Costa Takawira is a former athlete, sponsored the event.
Through their foundation, Baldmin Holdings, a firm with major interests in mining and medical supplies, is funding three athletics competitions in Harare, Bulawayo and Mashonaland Central. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu