Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
ASHLEY Miller yesterday bagged a silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles as three Zimbabwe athletes qualified for the 400m men’s final at the Senior African Championships at the University of Ghana Stadium.
Miller, who holds the national record in the distance, two others in the 400m hurdles and 300m, showed her brilliant year’s start was not a fluke with a good event in which she distributed her energy well to maintain her good pace to finish second.
It is Zimbabwe’s first medal at the Games.
Coach Phakamile Lisimati said he is very happy with the athlete’s success.
“This is a good performance by her; it’s a pity we’re yet to get the official times to see if she made it to the World Championships with today’s effort,” said a happy Lisimati.
The coach saw three of his 400m sprinters qualify for today’s final.
Dennis Hove won his heat in 44.86 seconds, the third time a locally based athlete has dipped 45 seconds.
Thandazani Ndhlovu who has the best season’s time in the event, was second in his heat. His season’s best is 44.71 seconds, clocked in Botswana a fortnight ago.
Leeford Zuze who until yesterday boasted the second fastest in 44.91 seconds achieved last month, was like Ndhlovu second in his heat to seal three places in the final.
The final promises to be the Battle of Ramokgwebana, pitting Zimbabwe and Botswana athletes.
The rivalry has been intense in recent months at a number of Southern African Championships where both sets have posted brilliant times.
Methembe Tshuma failed to make it to the 100m men’s final, finishing fourth in his heat, as Samukeliso Ndebele failed in the women’s.
At the time of going to print Tapiwanashe Makarawu was still to compete in the men’s 100m final.
Today only the 400m men’s final will feature Zimbabweans.
Lisimati disclosed that today they will have relay sessions in which the 4x100m team will be in action.
“All the 100m sprinters are done with their events, we will start perfecting our tactics and baton exchange,” said the Gwanda-born coach who has seen the country’s ranking rise gradually in world athletics.
“The boys are ready, they are excited, nothing to fear, our goal is to have all three on the podium. We have nothing to fear, we want to send a statement that Zimbabwe is there to the world,” said Lisimati.
He said he had a meeting after the semis with the boys, and they are all in high spirits and looking forward to the final and medals.
