Lisimati optimistic ahead of World Champs

Sport
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe director of coaching and talent identification, Phakamile Lisimati is optimistic the country will bring medals from the World Championships to be held in Russia.

NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) director of coaching and talent identification, Phakamile Lisimati is optimistic the country will bring medals from the World Championships to be held in Russia next week.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

The event has been slated for August 10 to 18. Lisimati will accompany the country’s two representatives of the United States-based Gabriel Mvumvure, who qualified to participate in the 100m race and Cephas Pasipamire who made it in the marathon category.

In an interview with Standardsport this week, Lisimati said Naaz was disappointed that the country was going to send only two athletes. “We would have loved to send many athletes, but we failed, others had to pull out because of injuries. l am urging athletes to continue to work hard because we are looking forward to sending many athletes to the upcoming Olympics,’’ he said.

“I know it will be tricky in Russia, so it is early to start talking about medals at this stage. It’s one of the biggest stages where every athlete would want to perform exceptionally. I will travel with Pasipamire in the next coming few days, and we will meet Gabriel in Russia,’’ he added.

Olympians Cuthbert Nyasango and Wirimayi Juwawo, who had also qualified to participate at the prestigious event, failed to fully recover in time for the event.

The country also had pinned hopes on high jump sensation Ngoni Makusha who unfortunately failed to make it in Belgium last week.

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