Uganda’s 800m trio to hit the track today

Necessary breather. Nanyondo (L) and Nakaayi savour some rest after workout in Namboole last month. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

What you need to know:

  • Athletics. Uganda will aim to rubber stamp its progress in the 800m when Ugandan female track stars Winnie Nanyondo, Dorcus Ajok and Halima Nakaayi compete in the heats today,

GOLD COAST.

2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games medalist Winnie Nanyondo will lead Uganda’s three female 800m runners when their heats take place tonight at Carrara stadium.
Nanyondo has recovered from her exertions in the 1500m final where she finished 10th in a personal best time of 4:06.05 and will compete in the third heat.
Dorcus Ajok will open Uganda’s quest in the opening heat with Halima Nakaayi getting a first taste of the track in the second heat.
Uganda’s Chef De Mission at the Games Beatrice Ayikoru, a former national athlete, has hopes in all three girls. “As Uganda, we can only hope that all three girls are in the right mental and physical shape because their potential is undoubted.”

Good nick
Nakaayi and Ajok have looked in top shape if their qualification times are anything to go by while Nanyondo will seek to use her bronze-winning experience from four years ago to go one better here.
In the women’s javelin yesterday, Josephine Lalam threw 48.92 metres to finish eighth. The gold medal winner, Kathryn Mitchell of Australia, posted a throw of 68.92.
The other Ugandan who will be in action today is Cleopatra Mungoma who will compete in the women’s 50m Rifle Prone finals.

Also Read

TODAy’S SCHEDULE - ATHLETICS

800m HeatS
*Docus Ajok – Heat 1 of Rd 1 at 5:20am
*Halima Nakaayi – Heat 2 of Rd 1 at 5:28am
*Winnie Nanyondo – Heat 3 of Rd 1 at 5:36am
Women’s 50m Rifle Prone finals
*Cleopatra Mungoma in action at 7am
Badminton – men singles rd of 16
*Brian Kasirye vs Chong Wei Lee (Malaysia)

In the headlines