Glasgow 2014: Kipsiro may pullout of 10000m race

By James Bakama
 
Today

Athletics
10:05pm-Men’s 10000 final
10:45pm- Women’s 800m final

Boxing

Semi-finals
5:30pm- M. Sekabembe v J. Joyce (England)
9:45pm P. Barnes (N. Ireland) J. Kaggwa

Saturday

Boxing final
 
Serving in war torn Somalia ‘s peace keeping mission is considered as one of the riskiest ventures.

UPDF sergeant Mike Sekabembe is one of those lucky fighters who have managed to come out of the troubled Horn of Africa alive.

So, having survived Al Shaabab ambushes, the towering soldier says a Commonwealth Games semi-final bout should pose little difficulty.

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Sekabembe faces  Englishman Joseph Joyce in the super heavyweight. PHOTO: Mpalanyi Ssentongo

“As a soldier I have been through more difficult moments. So, I should be able to also advance to the final,” vowed Sekabembe.

Sekabembe faces  Englishman Joseph Joyce in the super heavyweight four hours and 15 minutes before Juma Kaggwa takes on Patrick Barnes from Northern Ireland.

Sekabembe and Kaggwa are in their quest for Uganda’s first Commonwealth boxing gold medal since 1991. They are not shaken by their opponents’ impressive records.

While boxing in Uganda has been unstable, the two Britons bring a wealth of experience, having featured at the Olympics.

Joyce and Barnes were in Beijing. Barnes returned in London 2012 where he won bronze.

“Given that they are in home territory, we know that even the jury will be tilted in their favour, but we are set for battle,” promised Kaggwa.

Kaggwa was in superb form on Wednesday coming from behind to outclass Ghana's Teteh Sulemanu.

Coach Dick Katende was on Thursday simulating the opponents’ fighting styles. “We have counter strategies for each of them. If Mike and Juma follow instructions, silver medals will be assured.”

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Winnie Nanyondo (No. 2) qualified for the women's 800m final. PHOTO: Mpalanyi Ssentongo

Winnie Nanyondo will also be action in the women’s 800 meter final. She has not budged on her intentions of making it to the medal podium.

“It is time Ugandans realized that we are no different from for instance the Kenyans. It is all about hard work and determination. My preparation was great. It is now time to deliver.”

In the 10000m, New Delhi double gold medalist, Moses Kipsiro, has after the 5000m where he finished eighth, kept his cards close to his chest.

“I might not run tomorrow. I have a knee injury,” he said though sources close to him revealed that he will be in action together with Moses Kibet and Timothy Toroitich.

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Ludia Natunga and Amina Lukaaya lost to Ghana. PHOTO: Mpalanyi Ssentongo

In table tennis Uganda’s dreams of advancing to the women’s doubles medal stages were dashed by Ghana on Thursday.

The Ghanaian pair of Adam Amankwaa and Bernic Borquaye beat Amina Lukaaya and Ludia Natunga 9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 at the Scotstoun Sports Center.

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Becky Namusoke lifted 201 kilgrams to finish ninth in the women’s 75kgs +. PHOTO: Norman Katende

In weightlifting the previous day Uganda’s Becky Namusoke lifted 201 kilgrams to finish ninth in the women’s 75kgs +.