Namibian Lionel Coetzee won a silver medal in the men’s long jump event at the ongoing 23rd edition of the African Athletics Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, on Saturday.
Coetzee and South Africa’s Cheswill Johnson were tied at 7.78m.
However, Johnson won the gold medal on count back.
This means the officials went all the way back to the first jumps to determine the furthest jump.
It turned out that by the second jump, the South African had the furthest jump, and that is how he won.
However, the final (winning) distance remains 7.78m for both.
In the shot-put event, Cornelius Kuhn of Namibia broke his own record of 17.54m set in April by throwing 17.65m.
South Africa’s Burger Lambrechts claimed first place with a throw of 19.12m, and Cameroon’s Bolly Takougoum took third with a throw of 16.09m.
Namibia’s Andre Retief ran 50.95 seconds in the 400m hurdle heats.
He did not qualify for the final.
Botswana’s Kemorena Tisang (49.93 seconds), Lindiuhle Gora of Botswana (50.54 seconds) and Elmehdi Democrati of Morocco (50.61 seconds) qualified for the final.
Additionally, the Namibian mixed 4x400m relay team, consisting of Mohammed Bock, Napuumue Hengari, Ezra Nakale and Tuulili Angala, set a new national record with a time of 3:28.90 seconds.
The previous record was 3:30.00 seconds.
Team South Africa won the race in 3:13.12 seconds, Nigeria took second place in 3:13.72 seconds, and Botswana finished third in 3:15.93 seconds.
Namibia finished sixth overall.
In the 800m heat 1, Namibia’s David Dam ran a time of 1:48.40 seconds, finishing in fourth place.
Botswana’s Ketobogolile Hainguira won the heat in 1:46.86 seconds, qualifying for the final.
Nigeria’s Ibadin Edose also qualified with a time of 1:47.65 seconds, and Kenya’s Nicolas Kiplangat Kebenei came third in 1:48.07 seconds.
The 4x100m women’s and men’s heats were scheduled for last night.
In addition, Namibian track and field star Christine Mboma advanced to the semi-final of the 100m, but pulled out halfway through the race, finishing in eighth place in a time of 12.06 seconds.
Gambia’s Gina Bass won the heat in 11.19 seconds, Liberia’s Destiny Smith-Barnett took second in 11.26, and Maboundou Kone of Ivory Coast came third in 11.28 seconds.
In the other semi-final heat, Namibia’s Sade de Sousa ran 11.53 seconds.
Liberia’s Maia McCoy won the heat in 11.33 seconds, Nigeria’s Olefide Olayinya was second in 11.52 seconds, and Madagascar’s Claudine Nome took third in 11.53 seconds.
Mboma’s coach, Henk Botha, said Mboma withdrew from the 100m as she realised she would not make it to the final.
She will now focus on the 200m event, which starts tomorrow.
Despite the efforts of Namibian athletes, the championships have been marred by chaotic arrangements.
Reports indicate that organisers lack adequate tools, with videos circulating online showing officials using outdated equipment to start races.
On Friday, athletes were seen being signalled to start races with a wooden starter clapper, a tool replaced by modern starter pistols decades ago.
Ivorian sprinter Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith expressed her dissatisfaction on Friday, complaining about poor travel arrangements.
“My team had to take a taxi to go to the stadium because the transportation sucks,” Ta Lou-Smith posted on social media.
Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo also criticised the organisers, threatening not to run in the final if conditions do not improve.
South African sprinter Shaun Maswanganyi left the championships, citing health risks due to inadequate accommodation for his allergies, food-related problems and transportation issues.
“I wish I were exaggerating when I say my health is at risk,” Maswanganyi shared on social media. Namibia is represented by 25 athletes at the competition, which kicked off on Friday, and runs till 26 June.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na