Namibia: Kaanjuka, Engelbrecht, Nghipandulwa, Mayova shine in Windhoek

Namibian athletes put in some fine early season performances at the second leg of the Bank Windhoek Grand Prix in Windhoek on Saturday.

Hitjiverue Kaanjuka of Welwitschia 77 Athletics Club was back to his best as he won the sprint double, taking gold in both the 100m and 200m.

He won the 100m final in 10.51 seconds, with Ismael Tjirambe coming second in 10.95 and Josep Lundulukeni third in 10.99. Kaanjuka also took the gold in the 200m final with a time of 21.08 seconds, ahead of Frank Puriza (21.27) and Even Tjiviju (21.45).

Daniel Nghipandulwa dominated the men’s middle distance events, winning gold in the 800m and 1,500m. He won the 800m in 1:51.00, with Oskar Komeya coming second in 1:54.50 and Johan Shipopyeni third in 1:55.20, while he won the 1,500m in 3:57.77, with Komeya coming second in 4:02.70 and Johannes Skrywer third in 4:04.52.

Nghipandulwa also put up a good performance in the 400m where he won silver in 48.48 seconds, with national champion Basilus Karupu winning the gold medal in 47.78 seconds.

Lavinia Haitope of Kakadhinwa Athletics Club dominated the women’s middle distance events, winning three gold medals in the women’s 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m events.

She won the 800m in 2:10.05, followed by Klaudi Nghihangwa of Oshakati in 2:14.78, while she won the 1,500m in 4:45.20, with Nangula Ekandjo of Oshakati coming second in 4:46.20 and Ndapandula Nghinaunye of Oshakati third in 5:07.80.

In the 3,000m, Haitope won in a time of 9:28.40, with Beata Naigambo of Nampol coming second in 10:04.60 and Nangula Ekandjo of Oshakati third in 10:09.80.

Globine Mayova won the women’s 200m in a fast time of 23.79 seconds, which was just 0.40 seconds off her national record.

Mayova’s Welwitschia 77 teammate Allysa Conelly came second in 24.23 while Tjipe Herunga of Nampol came third in 24.44 seconds.

Mayova was also a comfortable winner in the women’s 400m, taking the gold medal in a time of 57.63 seconds, with Salmi Nduuviteko of Oshakati coming second in 59.02 seconds.

Charlene Engelbrecht also did the double in the women’s shot put and discus events, winning the former with a distance of 12.14 metres and the latter with a distance of 44.78 metres.

(Original content from Namibia Sport)