The Sunday News
Phineas Mukwazo in Durban
UNITED States-based sprinter Gabriel Mvumvure stormed into the finals of the 200m event at the ongoing 20th CAA African Senior Championships at Kings Park Athletic Stadium here yesterday.
The final is tentatively set for 4:55 pm today.
Mvumvure put behind the ignominy of having failed to make it past the semi-final stage of the 100m dash on Wednesday when he finished fourth in Heat One of the qualification stage.
However, yesterday running in cool weather conditions, the dimunitive runner made his intentions clear in the morning when he came first in the sixth of seven heats and he convicingly came first in a time of 21,12 seconds to reach the semi-final stage.
He passed the final test when he clocked 20,77 secs albeit coming third in a race that was won by Divine Oduduru of Nigeria in a time of 20,48secs while Sydney Siame (20,75) was third. However, in athletics everything is possible and Mvumvure might end Zimbabwe’s baren medal spell.
It won’t be easy for him though, as he will be lining up with the best in the continent who include reigning world champion Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa, Adama Jammeh of Nigeria, Emanuel Matadi of Liberia, Clarence Munyai of South Africa, Oduduru and Siame.
The 4x400m relay team also made it in into today’s final albeit by default, as there were not enough teams to fight it out in the semi-finals.
It was not a bed of roses for other members of Team Zimbabwe yesterday as young Ngoni Makusha also running in the 200m semi-finals, Mary Mudyiravanji (800m), Sukoluhle Mlalazi, Tsitsi Mahachi, and Yvonne Thomas (200m heats), all failed to make any headway.
Wellington Varevi, the country’s only hope in the 1 500m put up a spirited run in the heats but could not make it to the finals although he came a commendable fifth in a good time of 03:51.70. Only four athletes were billed to go through in his heat.
The men’s tripple jump final proved to be too hot for Bhekisisa Tshuma, who only managed a distant 14th placing away from the medals table.
Zimbabwe is represented at the continent’s track and field showcase by 25 athletes, and the duo of Siphathisiwe Machaya and Naphtel Magwezi who were given the thumbs up by the Confederation of African Athletics to officiate here.
