The Sunday News
Phineas Mukwazo in Durban, South Africa
ZIMBABWEAN ace decathlete Keegan Cooke lost his maroon 1970 Toyota Prado to daring thieves on Wednesday afternoon while having lunch with his wife Amy.
While this reporter could not talk to Cooke as he was warming for an early decathlon event, Amy, who is accompanying his husband here confirmed the misfortune that had befallen the pair.
A report was made to the police and was recorded as case number 166/6/2016 Berea.
“Yes our car was yesterday stolen sometime between 12 to 1.30 pm while we were having lunch. In it was all the athletic equipment we bought (with an intention) to bring it back to Zimbabwe to coach school children,” said Amy.
The equipment valued at thousands of dollars included hurdles, javelins, discusses, and shot puts.
“Also in the car was the equipment we had bought that Keegan needs to train with next season. We are hoping he can qualify for the world championships next year. Things are very difficult for us,” said Amy.
However, the loss appears to have not impacted heavily on Keegan as he went on complete the high jump on 1.91 metres, and the 400m which he convincingly won in 49,1 seconds on Day Two of the 20th CAA African Senior Championships which are underway here.
“Keegan was amazing. After realising it (car) was stolen, he returned to the competition, jumped 1,91 metres in high jump and ran a 49,1 seconds in the 400m,” said Amy.
“The police were very efficient, they came right away,” she added.
Apart from the 400m hurdles at 9 am, Keegan we also take part in discuss, pole-vault, javelin and the 1500m race today.
On Day One Cooke came 5th in both the 100m dash and long jump, 8th in shot-put and fourth in high jump. A total of 25 athletes are representing Zimbabwe at Africa’s premier, biennial track and field spectacle. Efforts to get a comment were fruitless.
Two of the athletes Nyasha Mutsetse (800m) and Nigel Tom yesterday went through their respective first round races and will participate in the semi-finals late this afternoon.
