The Sunday News
Dalphine Tagwireyi/Lungelo Ndhlovu Sports Reporters
ZIMBABWE scooped seven more medals at the end of the athletics programme at White City Stadium to bring their total haul to 50 medals at African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games.
That translates into 13 gold, 20 silver and 17 bronze for the host nation.
South Africa came first with a total of 32 medals, they however bagged 14 gold, 11 silver and 7 bronze medals while Mozambique finished third with a total of 14 medals which include 7 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze.
In the 3 000m steeplechase Anna Bungu picked up from a fifth placing in the early stages of the race, found pace in the last 800m to clinch gold medal for Zimbabwe in a time of 11.07.41, her compatriot Convinience Chamboko, who settled for silver.
Lucky Chitimba bagged another gold for Zimbabwe in the T12 Men’s 800m final, opening a gap of about 100m to majestically romp home.
In triple jump Trust Nkala earned the country gold while Thandeka Malinga bagged a silver in the women’s high jump final. Tapiwa Chetsanga scooped bronze medal in the women’s shot put final.
The women’s 4x400m relay women’s final saw Zimbabwe settling for silver behind winners Botswana.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s triple jump athlete, Brian Mada, virtually closed Zimbabwe’s athletics account with a gold medal.
Mada managed to propel himself over the high flying, steady South African triple jumper Teboho Molibeli by 15,65m.
Molibeli who gave the Zimbabwe’s athlete a run for his money had an overall jump of 15,15m, to win a silver medal.
Boer Duwayne clinched bronze after an overall jump score of 15,08m.
Sunday New Sports caught up with Mada after the award ceremony and he said he was very delighted to bag gold from a tight contest.
“This competition was very tough. I once competed with three guys who participated in the competition. I knew how good they were and this also propelled me to advantage because I had studied their weaknesses and strengths in Southern Region Youth Championships in South Africa in May last year,” said Mada.
Despite inadequate preparatory time prior to these games, Mada said discipline and dedication is what helped him to scoop gold.
“I didn’t fully prepare for these games because of exams. I want to thank my coach who trained me and I managed to clinch gold today,” said Mada.
Phakamile Lisimati, Zimbabwe’s Triple jump coach was very impressed by the young star saying he (Mada) continued to set triple jump records and there was no Zimbabwean athlete who was following in his footsteps.
“This was a tough competition and our youngster pulled through. I can say it was a hard won event. Consistency and discipline has brought us gold because Mada didn’t fully prepare for these games because of exams but he practiced by himself at times hence this result,” said Lisimati.
Final medals table
Team Gold Silver Bronze
RSA 14 11 7
ZIM 13 20 17
MOZ 7 2 5
NAM 4 8 5
BOTS 4 4 3
ANG 3 4 4
LES 3 1 3
SWA 3 0 1
ZAM 2 2 5
MAL 0 1 3
