The Sunday News
Phineas Mukwazo
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) has announced a 66-member squad for the Confederation of African Athletics Southern Region Championships set to run in Harare from 10 June to 11 June.
The squad consists of 34 men and 32 women with the Association confirming the event will be used a part of the country’s preparations for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Under-18 World Youth Championships in Kenya in July, the Africa Junior Champs in Algeria next month and the IAAF World Championships in London in August.
“We are expecting our athletes to perform to their best of abilities, pick as many gold medals as possible, qualify for the upcoming major events such as the World Youth, Africa Junior and, the World Championships,’’ said NAAZ director of coaching and talent identification Phakamile Lisimati.
“We also want to use this stage as a major and final preparatory initiative before the above events as well.’’
In coming up with Team Zimbabwe, Lisimati said the selection panel looked at the consistency, outstanding performances and quality times and distances produced by the athletes throughout the season.
He said the JM Busha national track and field series that concluded in Harare on Thursday was the main event for selection.
Among the notable inclusion in the final team were Ngoni Makusha, Connias Mudzingwa, Selby Mukucha and Nigel Tom who represented the country at the African Senior Championships in Durban last year in July.
Team Zimbabwe
WOMEN (season best times in brackets)
100m
Gabri Mgbenna, (12.23); Mitchell Zuze (12.34); Leona Musikavanhu (29.63)
200m
Gabri Mgbenna (24.51); Leona Musikavanhu (24.63); Sukoluhle Mlalazi (25.01)
400m
Vimbai Maisoreva (56.02); Nomatter Kapfudzaruwa (56.37);
Faith Dube (56.55)
800m
Vimbai Maisoreva (2:12,00); Maryjoy Mudyiravanji (2:16,13);
Arage Mutambo (2:16,19)
1 500m
Nevia Magadzo (5:00,40); Arage Mutambo (4:50,25); Maryjoy Mudyiravanji (4:52,35)
5 000m
Bertha Chikanga; Nevia Magadzo
Long Jump
Dorothy Kavumbura (6.02m); Vimbiso Majoni (6.25m)
Triple Jump
Dorothy Kavumbura (12.39m); Vimbiso Majoni (12.01m).
Discuss
Olivia Shavi (38.31m); Tadiwa Kanyenda (36.24m); Evidence Mhari (36.20m)
Shot Putt
Liza Mayo; Tadiwa Kanyenda
Javelin
Olivia Shavi (42.30m); Grace Ndlovu (42.01m); Tadiwa Kanyenda (40.39m)
MEN
100m (season best times in brackets)
Ngoni Makusha (10.27); Tinotenda Mahyenga (10.50); Itai Vambe (10.42)
200m
Dickson Kapandura (21.40); Ngoni Makusha (21.03); Tinotenda Mahyenga (21.10)
400m
Nigel Tom (46,3); Samuel Mushongera (47.9); Connia Mudzingwa (47,8)
800m
Nyasha Mutsetse (1.49); Samuel Mushongera (1.51); Kelvin Chiku (1.51)
1 500m
Nyasha Mutsetse (3.55,0); Levison Mafuwa (3.56,19); Trust Hove (3.58,82)
5 000m
Blessing Waison (14.33); Denis Gono (14.12); Trust Chidomayo (14.42)
10 000m
Jacob Mugomeri (31.63); Trust Chidomayo (31.72); Canisius Kanavhera (32.3
110m hurdles
Selby Mukucha (15.1); Panashe Majoni (15.7)
High Jump
M Kwenda (2.08m); Tsungirayi Mashoko (2.05m); Mathew Mwamanyanda (2.06)
Long Jump
Claid Masibhera (7.22m); Tonderayi Mupandi 7.16m); Chengetayi Mapaya (7.15m)
Tripple Jump
Chengetayi Mapaya (15.25m); Bhekisisa Tshuma (14.68m).
Discus
John Nyakanda (38.59m); Rufaro Chikwaira (37,99m); Isiah Mupfayi (35,71)
Javelin
Leon Fusire (53.97m); James Mulenje (53.27m); Isiah Mupfayi (51.50m)
