ONGWEDIVA - Simon Shifidi (16) from Ohangwena region made headlines at the recent Swakopmund Pupkewitz Athletics Championship Challenge when he won the 800m and set a new record of 2 minutes and 6 seconds.

He also won the gold medal in the U/17 500m race.

According to his coach Moses Tiofeleus, Shifidi who is from the San community, is a polished gem that is ready to sparkle and is leaving no stone unturned to achieve that.

“Shifidi grew up in Ondobe with his adoptive parents. We, the Ohangwena Athletics Club, spotted him when he was  in Grade 3 because he liked challenging bigger pupils to race. He has been running and representing the region at various competitions in Windhoek,’’ said Tiofeleus. The Ohangwena Athletics Club took home 16 gold medals, six silver medals, and five bronze medals from the championship held in Swakopmund in July.

“The girls got eight gold medals, including the best female U/13 (Kandimba Rosalia) and U/15 (Ester Shikongo), who are both from Ohangwena,” Tiofeleus said.

After the teams’ plea for help to get Shifidi proper running shoes, Kongalend Financial Services donated running kits to the athletics club, consisting of 17 tops and 17 shorts.

“We are happy; we are now competing as a team and as one unit. We still have not acquired Shifidi’s running shoes, but we are hopeful to get them,” said Tiofeleus.