Zimbabwe snatch bronze in Nigeria

The four-day championships, held from March 28 to 31, attracted athletes from 16 countries and the hosts, Nigeria, came first with 35 medals, including 13 gold, while Egypt were second with a total of 16 medals.

Ethiopia amassed 25 medals but most of them were silver and they settled for third place.
Zimbabwe claimed a bronze medal in the medley relay girls, where they fielded a team made up of Yvonne Vanhuvaone, Yvonne Thomas, Rutendo Kanda and Ruvarashe Muzinde.

Vanhuvaone also qualified for the World Youth championships scheduled for July in Ukraine in the 400m event.
One of the coaches that accompanied the team, Sailus Muringani, said they were satisfied with the athletes’ performance although they did not get as many medals as they had hoped for.

“It went well, we managed to win a bronze medal in the medley relay and it was tough. Our girls did well and the boys also did well,” said Vanhuvaone.
“Ruvarashe managed to get to the finals in the 100m and 200m events. Yvonne Vanhuvaone also reached the finals in the 400m and 200m. She also qualified for the World championships in Ukraine.

“Ruvarashe slightly missed on the qualification for the World Championships but given more competition I think she can do well.”
Muringani said they were focusing on exposing the young athletes to major competitions so that they get exposure and experience to compete in future international events.

“Actually, the future is so bright for the young athletes because most of them were born in 1997 and the youngest was born in 1998,” said Muringani.
“Our major aim was to expose our athletes to major competitions for next year’s Youth Olympic Games and now they are going back and will up their training after seeing the standards at the African championships.

“Obviously, our selection keeps going on but this team forms the backbone of the team for the World Youth Championships and Youth Olympic Games.
“We have the likes of Robin Chitsato, Munyaradzi Rutsate and Yvonne Vanhuvaone. We might just need to add a few athletes.”
Muringani and some of the athletes came back yesterday and the other group is expected to arrive this morning.