adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE secured two places in rowing for next year’s edition of the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, in August. The second edition of the YOG will run from August 16 to 28 in Nanjing and rowing becomes the first discipline to qualify for the Games from Zimbabwe after Daniella du Toit finished second and Kyle Hinde came third in the junior women’s singles sculls and junior men singles sculls respectively at the Continental Qualification Regatta in Tunis, Tunisia, last week.
The event attracted athletes from different countries across the African continent.
Rowing at the YOG consists of four events — the men’s and women’s single sculls and the men’s and women’s pair.
There are spots for a total of 96 athletes with each nation having a quota of one women’s and one men’s boat.
The athletes spent a week in Tunisia as they first competed in the Tunis Lake Sprint Regatta on October 6 and both du Toit and Kyle came first in the women’s singles sculls and men’s singles sculls before competing in the YOG qualifying event held between October 7 and 9.
They returned home on Monday.
Rowing Association of Zimbabwe president, Miles Trustham, said they are happy the two athletes managed to put a such a good show despite the challenges as they were also preparing for their ‘O’ Level exams.
“There were only two events for qualification and only Daniella attended the World Championships held early this year and this was our last chance to qualify. It was very challenging as they also had their ‘O’ level exams coming. We were actually very lucky to get them there.
“The top three athletes go to the Youth Olympic Games. It’s not the athletes that qualify but the boat, so we have done 90 percent of the work by qualifying. Zimbabwe has qualified in the (junior) men’s singles’ sculls and in the (junior) women’s singles sculls.
“We will have a selection process next year on who will ride the boat, so it is still open that is why we say it is the boat that qualifies. It’s something laid down by the international federation.
“They are both of the required age but there might be other rowers who think they are better and we want to send our strongest team,” said Trustham.
Trustham said they are grateful to the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee as they made it possible for them to qualify for the YOG through their support and assistance.
Meanwhile, Micheen Thornycroft won the Senior African Championships women’s singles sculls (2 000m) held from October 11 to 13 to claim a gold medal. The championships were held at the same venue that hosted the YOG qualifiers. Thornycroft had earlier on teamed-up with du Toit for the doubles in the Tunis Lake Regatta Sprint where they also finished tops. Trustham hailed Thornycroft for her remarkable performance in the Senior African Championships held in the same country.
“The African Rowing championships were for seniors and Micheen Thorncroft got gold. She had a successful week in Tunisia. She is the All-African champions for winning the singles women’s sculls last week. She also did the doubles with Daniella and they were first,” said Trustham.
Trustham expressed confidence in the future of the sport in Zimbabwe as he noted that the country’s achievements so far have been good despite the challenges they have faced including lack of facilities and the expensiveness of equipment.
“Obviously all desired aspirations now is to attend the Rio 2016 Olympics for Micheen, she has a long-term programme,” said Trustham.
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