TOWNSEND High School athlete Yvonne Vanhuvaone romped home first to win the Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) Under-18 girls 200m sprint at White City Stadium yesterday.
By Sukoluhle Mthetwa
She is one of the athletes who have qualified for the World Youth Championships set for Ukraine next month.
Vanhuvaone told Southern Eye Sport that she was not happy with her performance as she clocked 26,58secs in the race.
“The race was okay, but I did not get much challenge from the other athletes. When I look at the other tough competitions that I have participated in, for example in Nigeria and Botswana, it was very easy for me.
“I feel that despite coming first I still have to train very hard and better my times in preparation for the World Youth Championships to be held in Ukraine. I want to improve my time on the 200m race because my personal best performance is 25, 00 secs,” she said.
Vanhuvaone was followed by Ruth Tapfudza (Talent Identification) on 27,93secs with Sparrows athlete Immaculate Nyathi who was third on 28,26secs.
The Townsend athlete came first again in the Under-18 girls 800m race, which she finished in 62,04secs with Faith Moyo being the second completing the race at 65,49secs, while Lynett Furera also from Townsend recorded 67,68secs.
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Nyasha Charandura of Athletics (NCA) Club athlete Reinhard Ndlovu won the senior men 100m dash in a time of 10, 89secs. He was followed by independent athletes Tom Nigel who finished on 10,98secs while Tapiwa Pfvayi was third in a time of 11, 23secs.
Bulawayo athletics coach Bhekuzulu Khumalo, who attended the event, said Ndlovu and Vanhuvaone can still improve their times.
“Looking at the quality of the White City track which is slippery I think Ndlovu and Vanhuvaone can get good times if they run at such a track like the National University of Science and Technology. I am confident that they can complete the race at very comfortable times. “The athletes seem to have been prepared for today’s competition. The wind also played a part in the results of today’s (yesterday’s) competition,” he said.
Clara Mandireya was first in the Under-18 girls 100m races in a time of 13,61secs.
Edna Tsika (Talent Identification) followed closely on 13,81secs with Tracy Machingura coming third in 14, 56secs. Independent athlete Sean Banda won the boys under 18 100m sprint. Banda, son to former Njube Sundowns director and Bulawayo businessman Gift Banda recorded a time of 11,29secs.
In second position was Sheppard Gumede (Sikhulile) on 11,74secs while Cleopas Ncube (Sparrows) was third in 11,98secs.
BAB chairman Manuel Mpofu said the competition went well, but they were still to analyse yesterday’s results before they can announce the athletes to represent the province in the Zimbabwe National Youth Games slated for August in the city.
