Gaborone – Namibian athletes gave a good account of themselves at the just-ended FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix, where both the country’s able-body and para-athletes finished with respective times.
In the para-athletes category, Johannes Nambala again demonstrated why he remains one of the world’s top para-athletes when he won the men’s 400m in a
remarkable time of 49.71 seconds, while compatriot Ananias Shikongo also triumphed in heat two, winning the race with a time of 51.97.
Namibian sprinter Hanganeni Fukanawa clinched first place in the women’s 100m nationals in a time of 12.44 seconds, followed by Katlego Kasara from Botswana in second place with her time of 12.60 seconds, while Matshidiso Kayira of Botswana took third place in 12.90 seconds.
In the women’s 800m nationals, Namibia’s Sarah Shikongo dominated the race with her time of 2:20.44, followed by Gaolape Senyama (2:24.77) and Kayira Matshidiso (2:25.97), both from Botswana.
In the 200m nationals, Jade Nangula emerged victorious with a time of 24.11, followed by Ludgerus Johanna with a time of 24.77, and Rita Jack from Botswana in third place with a time of 26.01.
Meanwhile, Simusi Murere Hatago took first place in the men’s 200m nationals, finishing in a time of 20.94, followed by Namogang Bonang from Botswana (21.07), and Phyenyo Majama from Botswana in third with a time of 21.39.
In the women’s 100m second race of the day, Ndawana Haitembu delivered an impressive performance to finish with a time of 11.68, just a few nanoseconds behind Swaziland’s Mahlalela Bongwiwe, who clocked 11.65.
Gabriel Hainuca finished third in 10.17 in the men’s 100m second race, coming in behind Kenya’s Samwel Imeta and South Africa’s Benjamin Richardson.
The men’s relay team secured silver at the Grand Prix after finishing behind Kenya, who won gold, while Zimbabwe took third position. The Namibian team comprised Gabriel Hainuca, Elvis Goseb and Simusi Murere Hatago. In the Long Jump, Coetzee Lionel came fifth with a jump of 8.04m.
In a post-race interview, Ndawana Haitembu expressed her happiness with
her overall performance and acknowledged that putting in the work always pays off.
She stated that her performance showed that she was on the right track and hoped to improve her personal best in the future.
“I am happy with my performance today. I didn’t expect to finish second, but I did and this shows that I am doing well with what I do on the track. I am hoping to improve my personal best in the future,” she
said.
Hainuca described his race as challenging but was pleased with his time and position, adding that the experience in Botswana motivated him to strive for even better
results and believe that continued competition at this high level can bring significant improvements.
“I would say it was a tough race for me, but it was worth it. It motivated me to strive for better, and I believe we can achieve even greater results if we continue to compete at these high-level events,” he said.