Zang-Milama dethrones Okagbare as African queen, Kenyans dominant - African Championships Day 2

Ruddy Zang-Milama edges past Blessing Okagbare in Benin/Photo: Yomi Omogbeja

An unlikely heroine emerged at the ongoing African Championships as Ruddy Zang Milama of Gabon won the 100m title for the first time in the history of her country, dethroning reigning sprint queen, Blessing Okagbare in the process.

Okagbare who holds the championship record of 11.03 was beaten to second place with 11.18 while Gloria Asumnu finished third in 11.28. Milama won the race with 11.16.
 
Nigeria’s woes were compounded in the men’s 100m as the three Nigerians who competed in the final finished in sixth, seventh and eight positions respectively.
 
The race was won by championship favourite, Simon Makagwe from South Africa in 10.29. Amir Saoud of Egypt came second in 10.34 while Cote d’Ivoire’s Hua Winifried Serge Koffi placed third with10.37. 
 
Obinna Metu who ran a Personal Best of 10.11 last week at the national trials in Calabar was sixth with 10.40 while Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Stanley Azie followed with 10.47 and 10.58.
 
Defending champion of the women’s 100m hurdles, Seun Adigun was unable to retain her title as she was disqualified from the race after bumping into the hurdles.
 
Senegalese, Gnima Faye took the day with 13.36 while Amina Ferguen from Algeria placed second in 13.56. Nigerian record holder in heptathlon, Uhunoma Osazuwa finished third in 13.61.
 
Despite making an A’ Olympic standard leap of 8.20m at the national trials, Stanley Gbagbeke was unable to capitalize on his previous achievement as he finished fifth in the final rankings with a mark of 7.65m.
 
Senegalese Ndiss Kaba Badji made a jump of 8.04m to finish on top while his South African counterpart, Zarch Visser was second with 7.98m. Ignisious Gaisah from Ghana and Clive Chafausipo were third and fourth (7.73m and 7.68m).
 
It wasn’t all gloom however as respite came Nigeria’s way when Chinwe Okoro secured the country’s its first gold medal in the women’s discus (56.60m). Elizna Naude followed closely with a distance of 55.88m while Cote d’Ivoire’s Kazai Suzane Kragbe was third with 54.56m.
 
Kenyan sweep
 
One of the major highlights on the second day of competing at the Stade Charles de Gaulle was the victory of Kenya in the 10,000m.
 
The East Africans made a clean sweep of the medals in the event as winner, Kenneth Kipkemoi raced to a Championship Record of 27.19.74. He was closely followed by his compatriots, Mark Kiptoo (27.20.77) and Lewis Mosoti (27.22.54).
 
The same scenario almost played out in the women’s 5,000m as the Kenyan duo of Gladys Cherono (15.40.04) and Veronica Nyaruai (15.40.65) won gold and silver in the event while Ethiopian, G.Gerbreslase finished third in 15.53.34.
 
The men’s 1,500m was won by Algeria’s Taoufrik Makhloufi in 1.46.15, followed by Andre Oliver (1.46.63) from South Africa and Kenyan, Anthony Chemut (1.46.78).
 
Egyptian, Rana Ahmad Taha emerged winner of the women’s hammer throw with a distance of 60.77m. Any Sene of Senegal took second position (59.59m) while Tunisia’s Sara Ben Saad was third with 59.43m.
 
The eight teams that qualified for the final of the men’s 4x100m include hosts Benin Republic (40.19s), Cote d ‘Ivoire (40.27), Botswana (40.51), Ghana (39.38), South Africa (39.47), Nigeria (39.48), Cameroon (40.24) and Gambia (40.42).
 
Selected Results:
MEN
100m
  1. Simon Magakwe (RSA) 10.29
  2. Amr Seoud (EGY) 10.34
  3. Wilfried Serge Koffi (CIV) 10.37

Long Jump

  1. Ndiss Kaba Badji (SEN) 8.04m
  2. Zark Visser (RSA) 7.98m
  3. Ignisions Gaisah (GHA) 7.73m

10,000m

  1. Kenneth Kipkemoi (KEN) 27:19.74
  2. Mark KIPTOO (KEN) 27:20.77
  3. Lewis MOSOTI (KEN) 27:22.54

WOMEN

100m

  1. Ruddy Milama (GAB) 11.16
  2. Blessing Okagbare (NGR) 11.18
  3. Gloria Asumnu (NGR) 11.28

100m Hurdles

  1. Gnima Faye (SEN) 13.36
  2. Amina Ferguen (ALG) 13.56
  3. Uhunoma Osazuwa (NGR) 13.61

5,000m

  1. Gladys Cherono (KEN) 15:40.04
  2. Veronica Nyaruai (KEN) 15:40.65
  3. Gerbreslasie Teklezgi (ETH) 15:53.34

Pole Vault

  1. Syrine Ebondo Balti (TUN) 3.80m
  2. Juanita Stander (RSA) 3.50m
  3. Jeannie Van Dyk (RSA) 3.40m
  4. Dorra Mahfoudhi (TUN) 3.40m

Discus Throw

  1. Chinwe Okoro (NGR) 56.60m
  2. Elizna Naude (RSA) 55.88m
  3. Kazai Suzane Kragbe (CIV) 54.56m

See complete Results below.

(Additional Reports by Opeyemi Olus in Porto-Novo)

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