Sarah Nambawa leaps to Africa gold
Aug 01, 2010
SARAH Nambawa leapt to an African title in the women’s triple jump, winning Uganda the only gold on the final day of the African Senior Athletics Championships here yesterday.Nambawa made up Uganda’s day after Moses Kipsiro finished fourth in his favourite 5000m event yesterday.
By Norman Katende
in Nairobi
SARAH Nambawa leapt to an African title in the women’s triple jump, winning Uganda the only gold on the final day of the African Senior Athletics Championships here yesterday.Nambawa made up Uganda’s day after Moses Kipsiro finished fourth in his favourite 5000m event yesterday.
kipsiro had on Wednesday won silver in the 10000m race.
Nambawa jumped 13.95m on her second attempt to take the lead. None of the other competitors could make a challenge in their last four tries.
It was only Nigerians Donike Nkiruka (13.71) and Otonye Iworina (13.65) who came closest, but not enough to scare her gold medal position.
After all the attempts had been exhausted, Nambawa jumped into air to celebrate.
“I have done it. Uganda Oyee!!,†she shouted before giving a lap of honour with Uganda’s flag.
“I have just come back from surgery. I had to reserve my efforts after I had done the big leap,†said an excited Nambawa, who came to the competition with Africa’s best leap and national record of 13.54m.
The US-based student, who took to serious triple jumping less than 18 months ago, is being coached by Ghanaian Andrew Owusu, the African triple jump record holder at 17.23m. She underwent surgery on February 16.
in Nairobi
SARAH Nambawa leapt to an African title in the women’s triple jump, winning Uganda the only gold on the final day of the African Senior Athletics Championships here yesterday.Nambawa made up Uganda’s day after Moses Kipsiro finished fourth in his favourite 5000m event yesterday.
kipsiro had on Wednesday won silver in the 10000m race.
Nambawa jumped 13.95m on her second attempt to take the lead. None of the other competitors could make a challenge in their last four tries.
It was only Nigerians Donike Nkiruka (13.71) and Otonye Iworina (13.65) who came closest, but not enough to scare her gold medal position.
After all the attempts had been exhausted, Nambawa jumped into air to celebrate.
“I have done it. Uganda Oyee!!,†she shouted before giving a lap of honour with Uganda’s flag.
“I have just come back from surgery. I had to reserve my efforts after I had done the big leap,†said an excited Nambawa, who came to the competition with Africa’s best leap and national record of 13.54m.
The US-based student, who took to serious triple jumping less than 18 months ago, is being coached by Ghanaian Andrew Owusu, the African triple jump record holder at 17.23m. She underwent surgery on February 16.