Deji Aliu at the start of the African Games 100m in Abuja (© Olukayode Thomas)
Abuja, NigeriaThe Athletics events of the 8th All-Africa Games ended yesterday with the men’s and women’s Marathon races which brought golds for South Africa and Madagascar.
In a very slow encounter, South Africa’s internationally unknown Johannes Kekana won gold in the men’s event in a time of 2:25:01. Ethiopia’s more fancied Gashaw Mellese who has a personal best of 2:10:40 when coming second in this year’s Dubai Marathon (and was also ninth in Rome 2:13:52) had to make do with silver (2:26:08). Gudisa Shenteme, also of Ethiopia took the bronze (2:27:39).
In the women’s category Madagascar’s Clarisse Rasoarizay emerged as the dominant winner in 2:46:58. Ethiopia again took silver and bronze - Tadelech Birra (2:52:04) and Leeila Aman (ETH) 2:55:07.
Nigeria's dominant gold medal display
Overall, during the six days of competition the host nation Nigeria dominated the Athletics events amassing an impressive tally of 13 titles including both the men’s and women’s 100m and 200m golds; sprint double being accomplished by Mark Onyali. There was also a sweep of the medals in the men's 400m Hurdles.
South Africa had no gold medal success on the track, though they did win the men’s Marathon and the women’s Race Walk but thanks to their throwers in particular they were still clearly the second best nation in terms of gold medals won – a total of seven.
Ethiopia thanks to their dominance of the long track events amassed the next biggest total of African Games titles (5) which included a podium finish by their three man squad in the men's 10,000m.
However, their East African neighbours Kenya despite a sweep of the men’s 1500m medals will not go home pleased with just three golds to show, especially as this was a total matched by both Egypt and Tunisia (3 each) and surpassed by Ghana who achieved four wins.
In total eleven nations won titles at the 8th All-Africa Games.
Full list of Athletics medallists at the 8th African Games, click here
There was some criticism from athletes during the week about facilities and living conditions in Abuja but one star athlete Frank Fredericks who announced his international retirement on Wednesday was full of praise –
“I have travelled far and wide from Barcelona to Atlanta and I must say that the facilities in this place are world class.”
