Confident Nanyondo cruises to final

By Norman Katende

Commonwealth Games
Women 800m semi-final

Heat 2

1 Judd Jessica (ENG) 2:02.26
2 Winnie Nanyondo (UGA) 2:02.83
3 Hamblin Nikki (NZL) 2:02.87

GLASGOW - Winnie Nanyondo kept her Commonwealth Games medal dream alive, after easing through heat two and finishing among the direct three qualifiers to Friday’s final.

The Ugandan 800m runner was more confident than yesterday’ round one race, this time being courageous enough to take the lead and finishing among the top three direct qualification places in the semi-final.

Nanyondo was welcomed to the track with a cold breeze mixed with the nagging drizzle, a sudden change of weather from the one she had warmed up in and he could visibly be seen irked as they went through the ceremonial interactions.

However, when the start gun went, all the troubles were shelved as she ran from deep inside to get a good position and managed to relax and control the pace as she passed the halfway mark in the lead as the rains continued to pound.

With an early sprint in the slowest heat, Nanyondo at one time looked like she might be struggling but at the home stretch, she was more confident, taking charge and just running behind eventual heat winner Jessica Judd of England.

“It was not that bad race. They wanted three and I know I will be among them. The rain was nagging. It was my first time to run in such weather and it was bad,” said Nanyondo after the race.

“I will now go ahead and plan for the final. It is going to be a technical race and I respect Judd and Eunice (Sam-World champion) but all my targets are to be able to get a medal. I believe this is my year,” she said