United States-based Zimbabwean sprinter Tatenda Tsumba failed to qualify for the 200m men semi-finals at the on-going 15th International Athletics Association Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing, China, after finishing seventh in Heat Two yesterday.
By Munyaradzi Madzokere
Tsumba, the only sprinter to make the trip to the athletic world championships after Ngonidzaishe Makusha and Gabriel Bvumvure pulled out due to injuries, clocked a disappointing 21,21seconds much slower than his personal best time of 20,46 seconds he set in Utah, the United States, back in April.
Makusha and Mvumvure’s absence meant that Zimbabwe could only send five competitors to the biennial global athletics event reducing the chances of winning medals.
Back in 2011, Makusha majestically leapt to a bronze medal in long jump at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Zimbabwean athletes have failed to make a mark in Beijing with local marathoners Cuthbert Nyasango, Cephas Pasipamire and Gilbert Mutandiro all falling outside the top 20 on the opening day.
Sadly for Nyasango, he fell roughly five minutes outside the 2016 Olympic Games qualifying time despite running his season best time.
Female marathon runner Olivia Chitate now remains the sole medal hopeful and is set to take part in the heats of the women’s 5 000m race tomorrow.
