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Former Miss Zim strikes bronze in triple jump

Life & Style
SHE might have been denied an opportunity to showcase her modelling talent on the international stage, but there is no doubt Catherine Makaya could be destined for stardom on the international athletics

SHE might have been denied an opportunity to showcase her modelling talent on the international stage, but there is no doubt Catherine Makaya could be destined for stardom on the international athletics circuit.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

Makaya, whose reign as Miss Zimbabwe lasted only three months before falling out with the Miss Zimbabwe Trust chairperson Marry Chiwenga, showed her tremendous potential after winning a bronze medal in the triple jump at University Sports South Africa Athletics (USSA) Athletics Championship in Stellenbosch on Monday.

Makaya, who is on a full sports scholarship at the University of Johannesburg where she is studying law, claimed third position with a best leap of 12,36m.

The triple jump was won by Makaya’s training partner Patience Ntshingila (13,29m), who is the South Africa record-holder and national championship, while Zindzi Chabangu claimed the silver medal with a best jump of 13,18m.

In an interview with NewsDay Sport from her base in South Africa, the 20-year-old rising star, who holds the national women’s record in the triple jump of 13,14m — previously held by Namatirai Mavugara (12,90) — said she was aiming to continue improving.

“God has blessed me with a talent and I believe that working hard is my way of praising him and representing my people,” she said.

“I did not expect to jump so far as I was a bit tired after the national senior championship last week where I improved my record by two centimeters to 13,14m. I’m happy with my perfomance and I’m going to keep working hard.”

Makaya, who has embarked on a fund-raising campaign for xenophobia victims in South Africa, said she had benefited from training alongside Ntshingila and Chabangu.

“We motivate each other during competition and I guess that is why we won all three medals in the event,” she said.

“Chabangu won the silver medal in long jump while Ntshingila bagged the gold medal.” Makaya also finished ninth in the long jump.

Women’s Triple Jump Results

1 Patience Ntshingila 13,29 (+0,1); 2 Zindzi Chabangu 13,18 (+0.5) PB/NJR; 3 Catherine Makaya 12,36 (0,0); 4 Helga Bensusan 12,27 (+1,2); 5 Nicole Dirk 11,84 (+1,8); 6 Talya Visagie 11,82 (-0,7); 7 Tammy Cupido 11,60 (+1,0); 8 Benita Botha 11,60 (+1,3); 9 Marlize Campher 11.40 (+0,6); 10 Manzi Sishi 11,10m (+0,9)