ZIMBABWE sprint star Gabriel Mvumvure came sixth in the first semi-final of the 100m at the IAAF World Championships to bow out of medal contention on day two of the competition at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, yesterday.
SPORTS REPORTER
The United States-based athlete needed to finish in the top two to qualify for the final which was scheduled to take place last night. Mvumvure saw his hopes dashed as he sprinted to the finishing line in 10,21 seconds and way behind American super star Justin Gatlin who clocked 9,94secs to finish in first place.
Jamaican Nester Carter claimed the other qualifying slot after coming in a close second in 9,97secs, while France’s Jimmy Vicaut was third in 10,01secs.
Mvumvure had earlier booked a place in the semi-finals after coming third in the first qualifying heat in 10,2secs on Saturday. The former Louisiana State University athlete sprinted to the line behind winner Kemar Bailey-Cole of Jamaica and France’s Christophe Lemaitre.
Mvumvure had gone to the World Championships with high hopes after qualifying for the World Championships with an impressive time of 9,98secs on his way to winning the men’s 100m event at the Star Athletics Sprint Series in Florida, United States on June 8.
But he failed to replicate that, failing to go below 10 seconds. Long-distance runner Cephas Pasipamire is the only other Zimbabwean athlete at the championships and will feature in the men’s marathon on Saturday.
