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Phineas Mukwazo in DURBAN, South Africa
ZIMBABWE medal hopeful Gabriel Mvumvure failed to proceed beyond the semi-final stage of the men’s 100M on Day One of the 20th CAA Africa Championships here yesterday.

However, there was something to cheer for in the camp when surprise packages Nigel Tom and Nyasha Mutsetse made it into the next stages of the senior men’s 400M and 800M events respectively.

There had been some hope earlier in the day when Mvumvure qualified for the semi-finals after finishing second in Heat 2 of the 100M, clocking 10.46 seconds. South Africa’s Akani Simbine (10.27s) won the heat, while Aziz Ouhadi of Morocco (10.51s) was third.

Things changed for the worst when Mvumvure came fourth in the first of the three semis in a time of 10.39s, well outside his personal best time of 9.98s and the 10.14s he achieved this year in qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

Tom raised hopes in the Zimbabwe camp when most athletes failed to make any headway at Africa’s track and field showcase.

Tom qualified for today’s 400M semis by emerging fourth in his heat in a time of 47.45s.

Mutsetse also finished fourth in the fastest of the four 800M heats, clocking 1 min 50.34s.

Tsitsi Mahachi (women’s 400M), Alice Maudze (100M hurdles), Gift Ngwenya, Conias Mudzingwa (men’s 400M), Ngoni Makusha, Shingirayi Hlanguyo (men’s 100M), Sukoluhle Mlalazi and Yvonne Thomas (women’s 100M), failed to make it beyond their respective heats.

Decathlete Keegan Cooke, who unfortunately became the latest victim of crime in South Africa when his car was stolen, won the men’s senior 400M decathlon final in 49 seconds.

However, Cooke came fifth in the 100M, fifth in long jump, eighth in shot-put and fourth in high jump.

The championships enter Day Two today with Zimbabwean athletes expected to take part in the 400M, 800M, decathlon events, 500M, 4X100M and 1,500M.