Songore misses 200m semis

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S medal hopeful at the ongoing IAAF World Junior championships in the United States, Michael Songore, failed to compete in the 200 metres semi-final under unclear circumstances on Thursday night. Songore had qualified for the semis after coming second in 21,68 seconds earlier on the day but did not start in the semi-final and unofficial reports coming from the States suggested that the young sprinter had a hamstring injury preventing him from competing in the semi-finals.

National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara confirmed the reports but said they are still to get an official report from the coaches accompanying the team.

“I have sent an email but I haven’t received anything yet from the coaches. But there are unofficial reports saying he had a hamstring injury.
“He has injuries that keep coming on and off, so we think it worsened,” said Tagara.

In the 400-metre hurdles, Pride Lusinga failed to go beyond the heats as he finished fifth. Middle distance runner Enlitha Ncube, who is the only female athlete in the team, was set to take onto the track late yesterday.

Ncube will be using the event to prepare for the second summer Youth Olympic Games set for next month in Nanjing, China.
The championships, which started on Tuesday, ends tomorrow and Zimbabwe has five athletes at the event – Songore, Ncube, Lusinga, Kuda Nyahuma and Shingirai Hlanguyo.