Talkmore Nyongani (Zimbabwe) in Pretoria (© Mark Ouma)
In the absence of national Sportsperson of the Year, Lewis Banda who because of injury was not been included in Zimbabwe’s team (7 athletes) for the forthcoming 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Helsinki, Finland (6-14 August), which was announced today, the country will field an under strength 4 x 400m relay squad.
National Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president Joseph Mungwari said the United States based athlete has been ruled out due to injury, and instead Zimbabwe is sending Brian Dzingai, Young Talkmore Nyongani, Themba Ncube and Nelton Ndebele for the event in which they qualified.
Other athletes who will be in Helsinki are long distance runner Kasirai Sita who will compete in the Marathon, while the veteran women athletes Samukeliso Moyo and Thabitha Tsatsa complete the Marathon squad for the Southern African nation.
But it is the absence of Banda, a rising world star which will be the handicap for Zimbabwe in their quest for a place in the final. Banda competed for Zimbabwe in the 2004 Athens Olympics, reaching the semi-final stage. The 22 year-old has a PB of 44.58 (National record 2004).
The hopes of Zimbabwe now lie on the shoulders of Talkmore Nyongani, 21, who has been excelling on the international scene of late – 44.96A personal best in 2005.
Simba Rushwaya for the IAAF
Zimbabwe team
Young Talkmore Nyongani (400,4x400,800)
Themba Ncube (4x400, 400)
Nelton Ndebele (4x400, 200)
Brian Dzingai (4x400, 400)
Kasirai Sita (Marathon)
Thabitha Tsatsa (Marathon)
Samukeliso Moyo (Marathon
