Tinago shines at National Selection Track, Field competition

Tinago first showed that he meant business when he stopped the clock in the 21.32s to win the 200m ahead of Talent Gomba of Masvingo who posted 21.75s and WWS’ Tatenda Tswimbwa in third place on 21.80s.

In the exciting 100m race, Tinago showed the rest of the field a clean pair of heels as he won in 10.53s while Millennium Academy’s Kudzanai Ncube came second in 10.78s.
Itayi Vambe was third in 10.85s.

But Tinago was denied a hat-trick by Obey Banga in the 400m as the Mashonaland East runner took the gold medal in 49.03s relegating Tinago to second place on 49.10s.
Nigel Tom, who ran as an independent, failed to ran sub-50 as he finished on 50.22s.

Former junior champion, Sithulisiwe Zhou, won the women’s 3 000m run in 10 min 07. 89s.
Zhou, who showed a lot of potential a few years ago, beat Spelile Kasekera of Chubbs Academy, who posted 10 min 16. 63s, into second place and Bertha Chikanga of Kandava Secondary was third.

In the relays, Luxoc Athletics Club dominated the meeting as they won the Under-20 boys’ 4x400m and the Under-18 boys’ 4x100m.
The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe were using the meeting as part of their selection process for the team for the Junior African Champions in South Africa next month as well as the IAAF 8th World Youth Championship in Donetsk, Ukraine, in July.

Athletics coach, Silas Muringani, said the event on Sunday managed to give them a hint on what to expect in future.
“I was happy by the turn out because we had over 700 people coming and most of the provinces were represented.

“We managed to record better times in most of events and I just hope that the next competition will build up to the progress made,” said Muringani.
NAAZ will hold the National Track and Field Champions at the on April 20 and 21 at the National Sports Stadium.

“At least, the selectors now have a picture of what to expect from the talent we have got.
“We are still to finalise on the team for the African Junior Champs in South Africa but we will sit down and consider the latest results as well as previous results from the NASH events,” said Muringani.