Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
ASHLEY Miller is not just an ordinary elite athlete.
She has the stunning looks which transform athletes into poster boys and poster girls and which, generally, can attract any army of sponsors.
Ashley was in Budapest, Hungary, for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, where she was joined by Makanaka Charamba, at the weekend.
The meet brought together the world’s top-ranked athletes, including Olympic champions from 2024, last year’s world champions in Tokyo, and this year’s Diamond League winners.
They all earned automatic berths.
Others qualified via their world ranking and a small number of exceptional invitations.
Charamba, who has had an incredible season, missed out on the final after finishing fifth in heat two in the semi-final in 20.13 seconds on Sunday.
Only the top four from each of the two heats advanced to the final.
Ashley also bowed out on Saturday in the women’s 400m semi-final after placing sixth in 54.23 seconds in heat one of the two semi-final heats.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe director of coaching, talent identification and development Phakamile Lisimati said having two athletes at the competition was huge for Zimbabwe as local athletes continue to push to establish themselves among the best.
“Actually, we had three athletes that were invited. Unfortunately, the other one had visa issues and travel restrictions there.
“We are quite impressed and happy as an association, especially on the coaching side, that now we have athletes who are picked, who are recognised at the Ultimate World stage.
“Getting an invitation to this championship is a big thing and it’s making us proud as Zimbabwe that we are counted amongst the world’s top athletes, amongst the world’s top athletics countries or participating countries.
“This is quite an impressive performance,” said Lisimati.
He added: “I want to congratulate the two athletes, Makanakaishe Charamba and Ashley Miller, for their performance again at the championship.
“They both bowed out in the semis but that’s a very good performance . . . I am sure in the next championship they will do far better than getting to the semis and go on all the way to the final.”
For Ashley, being part of these big events, and given her potential to become a marketing vehicle, could be the start of a beautiful adventure.
