Queen Nakaayi rules Doha

Many a Ugandan and the globe at large still are gripped in awe and ecstasy after Halimah Nakaayi broke big chains to power to the 800m title on Day 4 of the IAAF World Athletics Championships here in the Qatari capital.

Nakaayi ticked all boxes perfectly by delivering the best race of her life over the two-lap distance to beat an unpredictable eight-man field under the bright light of the Khalifa Stadium on Monday night.

Rare of a Ugandan, Nakaayi’s white spikes sent her charging with support from counterpart Winnie Nanyondo behind, overtaking leader American Ajee Wilson in stellar fashion over the last 85m to ooze a national record time of one minute and 58.04 seconds.

“It’s so special, it’s incredible, I just do not know what to say, I am very happy,” overly delighted Nakaayi said in front of the cameras after earning Uganda its seventh medal in Worlds’ history.

Whereas commentators, journalists particularly Americans and Kenyans here and sizable number of fans had been stunned, the 24-year-old had only detonated a bomb.

Fruits of preparation
“I expected it (a medal) and even my sister (Nanyondo) expected it because it has been a long-term preparation.”

Nakaayi had attempted this in her semi-final Heat 3 win but that bordered on fears of disqualification as she almost had tripped Jamaican Nataya Goule in attempt for space behind Kenyan Eunice Sum on Saturday. In the final, Nakaayi realised she would struggle to match steely Goule, size of Sum and that American trio of Ajee, Raevyn Rogers and Ce’Aira Brown in lane 1. She turned on her engine out in lane 2 to obliterate the field for Uganda to own the night in Doha.

Nanyondo pushes Nakaayi to 800m world title in Qatar

“The moment I reached in 650m when I was still feeling strong, I knew my kick was going to be strong,” said the 24-year-old whose eyes widened, had arms up, and clapped on her thighs before hugging Nanyondo, all in sheer disbelief at the finish line as the Ugandans in the stadium toasted.

Nakaayi’s career story almost stalled at the transition point from 400m to 800m but best preparation from her management Global Sport Communication through manager Jurrie van der Velden as well as coaches Addy Ruiter and Raphael Kasaija guided her home.

The curve has steadily risen from a NR of 1:58.39 in France and fourth in the Africa Seniors Champs’ final in Nigeria last year, to a bronze at the African Games in Morocco two months ago and now conquering the world. “The training has changed a lot, you can see the results because Global, our Ugandan coaches, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and everybody has been working hard to see that this day happens in a colourful way.”

And it would be foolhardy to ignore Nanyondo. She missed bronze in the last 40m when Rogers came through lane 4 to pip Wilson and her to silver in 1:58.18.

Like in London two years ago, Ajee took third place in 1:58.84 while, Nanyondo posted 1:59.18 in fourth.

Regardless, the Ugandan partners-turned-sisters danced picked flags from the over 50 Ugandans in the stadium, unleashing the ‘Kiganda’ traditional dance amid palpable emotion from the electric Khalifa’s stands. It is Uganda’s third world title after Dorcus Inzikuru’s 3000m steeplechase crown at Helsinki 2005 and Stephen Kiprotich’s marathon gong in Moscow six years ago.

“We are now world champions, it’s going to change the lives of our families,” Nanyondo said.

Upon the bell, Nanyondo wisely motivated Nakaayi through the pack. “Right from word go, my body failed to respond so I decided to push her,” added Nanyondo who returns to track for the 1500m Heats with Esther Chebet before Sarah Chelangat comes in the 5000m Heats tonight.