Mixed fortunes for Namibia’s athletes 

Namibia’s top athletes have had mixed fortunes at international events over the past few days.

Ryan Williams was Namibia’s top performer, winning a gold medal at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), but star sprinters Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi failed to make an impact.

At a Grand Prix pre-programme event also held at UJ, Mboma was well off her best, finishing second in her 100m race in 12.08 seconds, while Masilingi failed to make it to her 60m heat at the Indoor World Athletics Championships in Nanjing, China after injuring her shoulder.

Competing in the colours of North West University at the ASA Grand Prix on Wednesday, Williams was a comfortable winner in the men’s discus, taking the gold medal with a distance of 54.51 metres.

Williams’ distance was some way off his national record of 61.15m but will give him confidence heading into the athletics season.

Four other Namibian athletes made the final of their events at the same meet.

In the 400m men’s final Namibia’s Elvis Gaseb came fifth in 46.63 seconds, while Andre Retief came sixth in 46.95 seconds.

Tuuliki Angala reached the women’s 800m final where she came seventh in a time of 2:14.40.

Roger Haitengi came fifth in the men’s triple jump with a distance of 15.51 metres. Several other Namibian athletes were also in action at the Grand Prix pre-programme meet at UJ.

David Dam was Namibia’s best performer, winning his 800m race in 1:49:44, which was also the fastest time overall of the three 800m races.

There were eight separate races in the women’s 100m, with Jade Nangula winning her race in 11.81 seconds, beating compatriot Christine Mboma who took second place in a time of 12.08 seconds, while Ndawana Haitembu won her race in 11.81 seconds.

South African Gabriella Marais of the University of the Free State had the fastest time overall of 11.62 seconds, with Nangula and Haitembu joint second fastest at 11.81 seconds, while Mboma’s 12.07 seconds was the 11th fastest time overall.

In the women’s 200m, Nangula won her race in 24.37 second, with compatriot Corley Viljoen coming second in 27.86 seconds, while Nangula had the second fastest time overall behind Precious Molepo of UJ who won her race in 23.78 seconds.

In the men’s 100m, Namibia’s Elton Hoeseb came second in his race in 10.61 seconds; Elvis Gaseb came second in his race in 10.56 seconds, and Sherman du Plessis came third in his race in 10.97 seconds.

Retshidisitswe Mlenga of UJ had the fastest time overall of 10.27 seconds, while Gaseb was 14th fastest, Hoeseb 19th fastest and Du Plessis 53rd fastest.

In the men’s 200m, Hoeseb came second in his race in 21.04 seconds, which was also the fourth fastest time overall, while Sherman du Plessis came sixth in his race in 22.45 seconds which was the 39th fastest time.

Masilingi, meanwhile, had to withdraw from the Indoor World Athletics Championships at the last minute after injuring her shoulder, according to her coach Henk Botha.

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Beatrice suffered an unfortunate injury before the start of her race. While practising her start, she fell and injured her shoulder making it impossible for her to run her heat,” he said.

“This is a heartbreaking moment for her, as she has worked incredibly hard to be here. We appreciate your support and will provide any further updates as they become available,” he added.

Botha later sent an update saying that Masilingi had recovered well.

“Thanks to the great doctors at World Athletics and in Nanjing, her shoulder was successfully popped back into place and she is doing much better. We appreciate the support,” he said.