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Manuel Mpofu

Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
THE last qualifiers for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Coca Cola Four-Minute Mile semi-finals were held at White City Stadium during the Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB)’s Track and Field event on Sunday.

Zimpost’s Jacob Mugomeri and Blanket Mine’s Vineal Moyo booked their places in the semis after crossing the line in four minutes 22.19 seconds and four minutes 24.61 seconds respectively to join 27 other runners that have already qualified for the event.

The semi-finals will be held at White City Stadium on Friday ahead of the final set for the ZITF Main Arena on Saturday.

“We had our last qualifiers for the semis on Sunday and 29 runners have booked a place. We are going to have two semi-finals and only 20 best times after the two events will proceed to the final at the ZITF Main Arena. The 10 best runners in the final will each get prizes,” Bab chairman Manuel Mpofu said.

The Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile is a male competition with a prerequisite time of four minutes 31 seconds for one to qualify for the finals.

Last year’s competition was won by ZRP Fairbridge’s Elijah Mabhunu in a time of four minutes 14.77 seconds. Mabhunu will be eyeing to retain his title in Saturday’s final.

Other athletes to look out for include Hwange Colliery Athletics Club’s Phathisa Ngwabi, Trust Chidomaya from ZRP, Dumo Mkhwananzi from Sparrows and Wellington Varevi from Amen Academy.

Semi-finalists

Phathisa Ngwabi (Hwange Colliery Athletics), Titus Nyathi (Bindura), Titus Nyathi (LM Academy), Thando Maphosa (Sparrows), Caliscious Moyo (LM Academy), Ammon Moyo (Sparrows), Trust Chidomaya (ZRP) Dumo Mkhwananzi (Sparrows), Willard Mutasa (HQ1 Brigade), Nyasha Mutsetse (Independent), Levinson Mapfuwa (Black Rhinos), Trust Hove (Black Rhinos), Tendai Zimuto (Black Rhinos), Blessing Whyson (Black Rhinos), Nomore Wikiri (ZPCS), Nyasha Chiuswa (Amen Avademy), Vareri Wellington (Amen Academy), Bornface Jeki (Black Rhinos), Point Chanza (ZPCS), Paul Mhizha (ZPCS), Jonathan Chinyoka (ZPCS), Tapiwa Chineka (Black Rhinos), Blessing Chidziva (ZRP Fairbridge), Elijah Mabhunu (ZRP Fairbridge), Isaac Mpofu (ZRP Fairbridge), Ngonidzashe Ncube (ZRP Fairbridge), Jacob Mugomeri (Zimpost), Vineal Moyo (Blanket Mine).

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