WINDHOEK – In terms of global appeal, he might not be known to many but back home Namibian sprinter Hitjivirue ‘Hitch’ Kaanjuka, is a young fellow carrying the hopes of thousands of athletics enthusiasts on his shoulders.
Just as Usain Bolt dreamt of joining all-time sport legends like Muhammad Ali, Pele, Michael Jordan and Maradona to mention but a few, Kaanjuka too dreams of becoming Namibia’s greatest athlete in the mould of the legendary Frank Fredericks. The 25-year-old sprinting ace has earned himself the ideal opportunity to rub shoulders with the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt, when he knuckles down to serious business in the men’s 200m heats of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Moscow, Russia, this morning at 07h00. The young lad will be getting out of the starting blocks in lane 3 in the first heat of the day and will face a stiff challenge from the likes of Curtis Mitchell (USA) and Jaysuma Saidy-Ndure of Norway in a field of formidable world-class sprinters.
Kaanjuka is the only remaing athlete from the Namibian contingent still competing at the World Championships, underway in Moscow following the dismal failure of his compatriots to reach the final stages of the competition in their respective disciplines. Namibia was represented by Tjipekapora Herunga (200m and 400m), Helalia Johannes, Beata Naigambo, Leena Ekandjo and Alina Armas (marathon). At the 2008 African Championships, Kaanjuka finished in 5th place overall in the 100m sprint and 7th in the 200m. He also competed at the 2007 World Championships, but failed to progress beyond the first heats.
Story by Otniel Hembapu