Nanyondo signs off with 400m win at Namboole
Nanyondo will line up alongside 10 runners in the two-lap race at the IAAF Diamond League in Monaco tonight. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA
What you need to know:
The 20-year-old runner left for the Commonwealth Games yesterday as one of Uganda’s medal hopes.
KAMPALA- Winnie Nanyondo left for the Commonwealth Games yesterday confident she can push for a podium finish.
The 20-year-old middle distance runner surprised many at Namboole Stadium by beating seasoned 400m runners during the National Championships on Friday.
Crowned Nile Special-Uspa Sports Personality for the month of June at Imperial Royale Hotel on Thursday night, Nanyondo posted an impressive 53.72 seconds, coming home ahead of Halima Nakaayi (54.33), Shida Leni (54.81) and Emily Nanzril (57.07).
Yet, Nanyondo’s best race is the 800m. It’s in that event that she excelled with 1:59.27 at the IAAF Golden Spike Meet in Czech Republic on June 16 to claim the Uspa award.
During the awards ceremony on Thursday, Nanyondo (pictured below) talked with confidence ahead of the Commonwealth Games starting July 23 in Glasgow, Scotland.
“I have done enough training for more than two months and going by the form and my abilities, I would like to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games and return here for the Uspa Sports Personality of the Year award,” she said.
The accolade was Nanyondo’s second Uspa monthly award having shared the limelight with Joshua Cheptegei for winning gold each at the World University Cross-Country Championships at Entebbe Golf course in March.
