adminNcube came second in the 3 000m race in a time of 8.45.92 minutes, behind Zambia’s Friday Simusamba who won the gold medal in 8.39.70 minutes. Monnatlala Tumisang came third in 9.01.59.
In the 1 500m event, Ncube finished in third position in 4.06.13 minutes. Simusamba was the first to cross the finish line in 3.57.64 minutes and Tumisang was second in 3.58.26. Ncube paid tribute to his coach Xolani Mumba for helping him to make it in his first international appearance.
“The competition was a bit tough but I did my best and I want to be the champion in the near future,” said Ncube who scooped gold in the Under-18 boys 5 000m race held at Plumtree High School in April.
Long jumper, Takudzwa Muchochwa raised the country’s flag high when he scooped a gold medal in the men’s event.
Muchochwa posted his personal best record of 2.02m, ahead of Kevin Mieze of Namibia who jumped 1.92m.
The championships attracted 180 athletes from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The 17-year-old said he was happy with his achievement in a competition dominated by South Africans in most of the events.
“I feel really incredible and I would like to thank God because He is the one who gave me this talent,” said Muchochwa.
The girls’ title went to Lizerie Ferreira of South Africa when she posted a time of 4.31.92 minutes while Lesotho’s Foloko Keneue posted a time of 4.38.09 to win the silver medal. Faustina Mingela of Namibia won the bronze medal.
South Africans dominated the 400m event with Petr Havenga and Stefan Bruwer winning the gold and silver medals respectively. Emillien Orwin of Mauritius was third.
In the girls’ category Botswana’s Christine Botlogetswe was first to cross the finish line in 54.81 seconds while South Africa’s Carina Swiegers was second in 56.22 seconds. Yvonne Vanhuvaone of Zimbabwe settled for third position in 56.39 seconds.
Online Reporter