Double Paralympics gold medallist Elliot Mujaji crashed out of the 100m sprint on Monday, denting Zimbabwe’s chances of getting more medals at the ongoing All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.
Mujati was one the country’s genuine medal hopefuls at the games, but finished a disappointing fifth in the first round heat race that was held on Monday morning.
Zimbabwe officials complained that their athlete was caught unawares after the date for the race was shifted.
The race had been initially set for Tuesday evening.
However, the 39-year-old veteran runner still has a chance to redeem himself when he takes to the track in his more specialised 200m on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe has amassed 11 medals so far, all coming from the women swimming team that is led by the inspirational Kirsty Coventry.
Other Zimbabwean athletes continue to get mixed achievement at the games.
Tennis
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The country’s tennis representatives at the games have started brightly with United States-based Takanyi Garanganga beating an Angolan opponent 6-4, 6-2 to qualify for the third round. The former African junior champion, who is ranked 11th best in Africa, received a bye in the first round and remains another gold medallist for the country.
Countryman Mark Fynn also qualified for the third round after an easy match when he embarrassed a Malian opponent 6-1, 6-0.
In the women category, Valeria Bhunu and Pauline Chawafambira were expected in the courts on Monday night.
Athletics Sprinter Tinashe Mutanga had a decent start at the games after finishing third in the 100m sprint in a time of 10,61sec, third round heat. He has qualified for the next round which will be run on Tuesday.
Just behind Mutanga in the same race was compatriot Francis Zimwara who clocked 10,66sec, thereby sneaking into the second round.
There was also joy for Nelton Ndebele who qualified for the second round after finishing fourth in the 400m in a time of 42,02sec.
Margaret Bangajena, the country’s number one female wheelchair athlete in the 1500m, was expected to compete late Monday night.
Her male counterpart Elford Moyo however failed at the first hurdle and crashed out of the games after he finished 8th in the 1500m race.
