Zim athletes fail to qualify

Sport
ZIMBABWEAN athletes failed to make the grade for the World Junior and African Senior Championships when they competed in the Naaz track and field events held at the Nust yesterday.

ZIMBABWEAN athletes failed to make the grade for the World Junior and African Senior Championships when they competed in the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe track and field events held at the National University of Science and Technology yesterday.

Ontiretse Molapisi (right) of Botswana wins the 200m while Buhle Geza of Zimbabwe comes second in the Under-20 womens’ race of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe track and field events held at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo yesterday
Ontiretse Molapisi (right) of Botswana wins the 200m while Buhle Geza of Zimbabwe comes second in the Under-20 womens’ race of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe track and field events held at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo yesterday

THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Botswana’s Karabo Sibanda is the only athlete that managed a qualifying time in the junior men’s 400m event dashing home in 47,63secs.

The qualifying time is 47,70 for the event which will be part of the track and field programme at the World Junior Championships in the United States of America from July 22 to 27.

Sibanda beat compatriot Keetie Unoda who finished in 47,08secs and Pride Lusinga who completed the race in 48,58secs.

Nyasha Mutsetse could be kicking himself after failing to meet the standard in the 800m event which he finished in 1min 50,98secs.

The Manicaland-based athlete started the race well, but slowed down in the end and failed to make the one minute 50,50secs qualifying standard.

Mutsetse beat Botswana nationals Kebinakaliso Tlotso who clocked 1min 52,74secs with Boitumelo Masilo coming in at 1min 52,84secs.

In the seniors category none of the athletes who competed came close to qualifying with Itai Vambe who won the 100m clocking 10,75secs with Marvin Bonde came in 0,11secs later in 10,86secs and in third place was Sean Sibanda in 10,97secs.

The qualifying times for the African Senior Championships 100m event are 10,02secs for the A Standard and 10,44secs for B Standard in the men’s category and 11,07secs and 11,94secs respectively in the women’s category.