Athletics Namibia (AN) president Erwin Naimhwaka has expressed satisfaction with the level of competitiveness displayed during the fourth leg of the Coca-Cola Grand Prix held at Rietfontein over the weekend. 

The event saw close to 200 athletes from 20 athletics clubs competing for top honours in what turned out to be another successful leg of the 10-leg Grand Prix. 

Speaking to New Era Sport, Naimhwaka said he was impressed with the athletes’ overall performances.

“I am happy with the improvements we witnessed here, and one could see all the athletes eager to compete. The clubs are working hard to ensure their athletes put up great performances. Also, the number of clubs which attend our competitions speak to the growth of local athletics,” he added.

In the women’s 200m, Olympian Beatrice Masilingi from the Quinton-Steele Botes Athletics Club (AC) finished first in a time of 22.62 seconds, followed by Nandi Vass of the Unam AC in 24.87. Johanna Ludgerus of the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) AC took third place in 25.00.

Meanwhile, the men’s 200m went to Mahmad Bock from Unam with his time of 21.52, while Even Tjiviju from NCS took second place with 21.57. Hatango Murere of Nampol finished third in 21.61.

In the women’s 800m race, Tuulika Angala of Cheetahs AC finished top in a time of two minutes and 14 seconds (2.14), followed by Saara Shikongo of Kakadhinwa AC with a time of 2.16, while Kakadhinwa’s Elisia Nambudu finished third with 2.20. 

The men’s 800m event was won by David Dams of the Omaruru AC with his time of 1.53, followed by Unam’s Mathew Angula in 1.54, while Arno Angula of Cheetahs ended third in 1.55.

The next leg of the Grand Prix will take place in Oshakati on 5 March 2022.

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na