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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
LONG distance runner Isaac Mpofu and sprinter Denzel Siamulela walked away with Best Senior Male Athlete and Athlete of the Year gongs at the Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) annual awards ceremony held at a Bulawayo hotel on Saturday.
Mpofu broke the national record in long-distance running twice this year.
The first time was in July when he crossed the finish line in 2hrs 7 minutes 57 seconds as he secured 10th spot at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States.
The previous record stood at 2hrs 9 minutes 52 seconds set by Cuthbert Nyasango in 2014.
Mpofu managed to break the record again at the Valencia Marathon in Spain where he ran a time of 2 hours 6 minutes 48 seconds.
“I have managed to do well this year. It’s been a good year. I would like to appreciate Nedbank Athletics Club which is in South Africa, they support me with supplements and kits.
“I am off season at the moment but next year all focus will be on training for the World Championships in Budapest which I have already qualified for. I also have a mandate to qualify for the Olympics and I believe the opening qualifiers are in January,” said Mpofu.
Siamulela represented the country at the World Junior Championships held in Cali, Colombia. Zimbabwe fielded two athletes at the Championships, Panashe Nhenga and Bulawayo-based Siamulela.
Although both athletes could not progress past the heats in the 100m and 200m, respectively, a lot of positives were picked up from their experience. The two were also part of Team Zimbabwe at the Africa Senior Championships held in Mauritius in June.
Amanda Msongelwa from House of Champions Athletics Club won the Most Promising Athlete accolade. The Most Promising Technical Official award was given to Jill Mutambirwa.
Northlea High School won the Best Athletics Club award. Elicah Ngorima and Manuel Mpofu received long service awards. — @innocentskizoe
Blessing Chizhande
Online Reporter