Unstoppable Shida Leni breaks 12-year record

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After five competitive years since 2014, the overly progressive athlete is close to normalising the abnormal on the local scene.

 

This year alone, the 25-year-old has been frighteningly good both home and away.  The latest highlight is presented in defending the 400m and 200m races at the National Track and Field Championships in the women's category that ended Saturday at Mandela National Stadium.

 

What overwhelmingly stood out is the fact that she did so with style, breaking a longstanding record by Justine Bayiga (23.46) set in Khartoum 2007. Leni clocked 23.43 to set the new mark.

 

"I'm extremely happy that the confidence keeps growing as I continue to pursue my dream of becoming one of the best sprinters in the world," says Leni who had already qualified for All Africa Games coming into the nationals.

 

Her exploits at the nationals come against the background of a second finish in the 400m at the recent World university games in Italy (2019 Summer Universiade).

 

For her dropping the times from 51 seconds to 50 in the 400m is the next big target going into the All Africa Games next month in Morocco.

 

Meanwhile, nine athletes from the national championships have also qualified to bring to a total of 51 for All Africa Games. Winnie Nanyondo, Wonruku Stella, Halima Nakaayi  400m and youngster Sarah Chelangat were other major standouts with the latter breaking Stella Chesang's 5000m record.

 

Rebecca Cheptegei, Viola Chemos, Doreen Chemutai, and Emily Chebet all in the 10,000m qualified.

 

In the men, Benson Okot 200m with 20.95, Abu Mayanja in 800m with 1.46.76 and legendary Ronald Musagala  were other standout performers.

 

EMAIL: kbalikuddembe@newvision.co.ug

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