From Addis2008:
After two days of disappointment, Kenya finally made a bumper harvest as they scooped two gold medals, two silvers and two bronze as the Africa Athletics Championships entered its third day at the Addis Ababa Stadium on Friday.
Kenyans ensured a clean sweep in the men’s 3000m steeplechase and picked gold and bronze in the 800m. The world bronze medallist, Richard Mateelong took gold in the men’s steeplechase in 8:31.68 with compatriots Michael Kipyego (8:32.94) and Willly Komen (8:41.98) picking silver and bronze respectively to keep the country’s tradition in the event alive.
Mateelong said the victory was a perfect start ahead of the August Olympic Games. “I am inspired with victory and I want to keep shape ahead of the Beijing Games,” he said. Coach Julius Kirwa was equally elated, saying the move was a good sign ahead of the games. “What did you expect? This is a Kenyan preserve. Other countries have a long way to go in as far as the event is concerned,” the coach said.
Rudisha rules over two laps
Prior to the event, Kenya’s world junior 800m champion, David Rudisha had set the mood of the day for Kenyans after winning gold in his specialty timed at 1:44.20. Sudanese Ismail Ahmed Ismail spoiled Kenya’s party sneaking between Kenyans to run away with silver after posting 1:45.41. Asbel Kiprop took bronze in 1:46.02.
Rudisha said this was part of his preparations for the Beijing Games. He said he was almost 99 percent sure that he would take gold. “I studied the competition right from the preliminaries and knew what to do at the final. I am happy my plans worked perfectly.”
Burka in a class of her own in women’s 1500m
Ethiopia’s Gelete Burka did not make any mistake in the 1,500m as she out-sprinted the rest of the field to lead an Ethiopian 1-2 finish. Burka clocked a championship record time of 4:08.25 to win gold ahead of Meskerem Assefa who was timed at 4:13.91. Namibia’s Agnes Samaria struggled to a bronze medal ahead of Kenya’s Jebet Lagat who returned 4:16.19.
“It is different to win a race in your own country,” said Burka. “The support was more than I expected. It kept me going. I competed today because it was fun and I have improved my own stadium record which was 4.10.”
Monthso cruises to 400m title
Botswana won gold and silver in explosive men’s 400m races. All-African Games women’s 400m champion Amantle Montsho posted a championship record time of 49.83 seconds to win the first gold of the championships for the Southern African nation. Agugan Foloshade of Nigeria took silver timed at 50.89 seconds while Zambia’s Rachael Nachula completed the podium in 51:39 seconds.
“49.83, wow I am so surprised to run under 50 seconds for the first time,” said the elated runner from Botswana. Many people have told me I was capable of this and now I have done it. This means so much for me and my country. Now I am ready to make the final in Beijing.”
Nagmeldin Ali delivers major surprise
However, Botswana’s hopes of completing a 400m double suffered a setback. Pre-race favourite Isaac Makwala suffered a major upset as he was beaten to the gold by Sudan’s former world youth 400m champion Nagmeldin Ali. Ali accelerated on the home stretch to win comfortably in 45.64 seconds as Makwala took silver in 45.64 seconds. James Gooday of Nigeria clocked 45.77 seconds to settle for silver.
“This means everything to my country and to me,” said the runner who is coached by Somalian-born Jama Aden, also trainer of world indoor 800m champion Abubaker Kaki. “We also have a great chance in the 4 x 400 metres relay.”
Van Zyl too good for the field
All-Africa Games 400m hurdles champion Louis Van Zyl of South Africa once again ruled the event with an impressive 48.91 seconds. Hamad Abderahmane of Nigeria won silver in 49.84 seconds with Mali’s Ibrahim Abdoulaye winning bronze in same time.
“It is great to be the African Champion again,” said the South African. “My main goal is in August at the Olympic Games. I hope to run 48.5 in Doha next week. The competition was very good and I was not bothered by the altitude, but my throat hurt like fire.”
Perfect Day for South Africa in the field events
The day however belonged to South Africa who stormed to the top of the medal table after winning six of the nine medals available in three field events: women’s high jump, women’s discus, and women’s long jump.
In the women’s high jump, Anika Smit took the gold after soaring 1.88m with compatriots Prestorius (1.84m) and Gertenbach (1.84m) taking silver and bronze respectively.
“I am pleased and confident,” said Smit. “The weather was just right, not raining and not too hot. I am now going away to do a winter programme and hope to qualify for the World Championships next year.”
Elizna Naude dominated the women’s discus throw covering 55.34m, while compatriot Simone Du Toit settled for the silver with 49.52m. Suzane Kragbe of Cote d’Ivoire took silver (?) after posting 49.52m.
“The competition was not so good,” said veteran Naude. “I wanted to throw 6 metres further, but I am really happy with the overall competition and support we have been given.”
Janice Joseph of South Africa took the gold in the women’s long jump where she jumped 6.64m. Nigeria’s C. Amadi (6.31m) won silver, while Patricia Soman of Cote d’ Ivoire (6.13m) scooped bronze.
Nigeria and South Africa share relay spoils
In the women’s 4X100m relay, Nigeria clocked 43.79 to win the women’s race ahead of Ghana (44.12) and South Africa (44.28sec).
“It is great for Nigeria to win,” said anchor Damola Osayemi, who wins her second gold of the championships. “We have not done so well for the last 2 to 3 years, but we have conquered it today. It is a good team and we have been together for long time and hope to win a medal in the Olympics.”
While Nigeria failed to finish in the men’s 4X100m, South Africans were the winners in the men’s event taking gold in 38.75 seconds ahead of Ghana (40.30) and Cameroon (40.60).
“It was amazing,” exclaimed Hannes Dreyer. “It is a new team. We have never run together before, but we just clicked today. The Ethiopians are putting on a great competition and the crowd and support are incredible! The weather is good now that it has stopped raining!”
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