Chengelo Elite Athletics Squad shine at ISAZ Finals.
Herbert Mithi, Johanna Bangala and Kikwanza Sondashi with their medals.
Three members of the Chengelo Elite Athletics Squad competed, along with other Chengelo athletes, in the Independent Schools Association of Zambia Athletics Finals on Saturday 14th June at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Chengelo School athletics team.
Maria Bangala was still recovering from an injury and Chigomezyo Kawonga was attending a wedding in USA, which left Herbert Mithi, Kikwanza Sondashi and Johanna Bangala to represent the squad and the school at the event.
Kikwanza Sondashi ran his best 100m ever, recording a stunning time of 10:88s, a new ISAZ under-16 boys record and personal best time. Indeed, his time was also faster than the ISAZ under-19 boys record. Kikwanza showed composure as he started well, before showing great sprinting technique and cruising to victory.
Kikwanza Sondashi on the medal podium.
Kikwanza Sondashi wins under-16 boys 100m gold in 10.88s.
In the 200m, Kikwanza improved on his personal best and his ISAZ record with a time of 22.24s. He ran a great bend before leaving the rest of the field behind him during the second 100m. Kikwanza ended up with four gold medals as he brought the under-16 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams home in first place.
Kikwanza wins the 200m in an ISAZ record and personal best time of 22.24s.
Kikwanza running the bend in the under-16 boys 200m.
Kikwanza running the bend in the under-16 boys 200m.
Kikwanza overtakes the race leader on the straight as Chengelo win under-16 4x100m gold.
Kikwanza receives the baton on the final leg of the under-16 boys 4x100m.
Kikwanza runs the final leg of the 4x400m as Chengelo win gold in an ISAZ record.
Herbert Mithi showed that he has started to regain some fitness after his chickenpox setback as he ran a personal best in the under-16 boys 800m. His time of 2 mins 21.5s was good enough for a bronze medal. Herbert came up against some strong opposition in the race but should be happy with his performance. He also won a silver medal in the under-16 boys long jump and a bronze medal in the javelin.
Herbert shows off two of the three medals he won in Ndola.
Herbert Mithi runs a personal best time in the under-16 boys 800m.
Herbert during his under-16 boys 800m race.
Johanna Bangala was in good form as she achieved two personal best times on her way to claiming four gold medals and one silver. She enjoyed having someone to chase for once in the under-14 girls 100m as she finished in second place behind Suwilanji Mpondela from ISL, running a personal best time of 12.97s.
Johanna Bangala under pressure in the 200m.
Johanna Bangala wins silver in the under-14 girls 100m in a personal best time of 12.97s.
Johanna wins the under-14 girls 200m, claiming an ISAZ record in the process.
Johanna won the under-14 girls 400m with ease, cruising to gold in a time of 60.10s. This was a new ISAZ record and just 0.79 seconds slower than her personal best. Johanna also played her part in the two relay team victories, running the final leg in both the under-14 4x100m and 4x400m.
Johanna dominates the field in the under-14 girls 400m, winning in an ISAZ record time of 60.10s.
Johanna preparing herself mentally for the under-14 girls 400m.
Johanna leads the under-14 girls 4x100m relay team home as they win gold.
Johanna Bangala chats with Suwilanji Mpondela from ISL before the under-14 girls 4x100m relay.
Next up for the athletes is a trip to Lusaka for the All-Comers Challenge at the Olympic Youth Development Centre on Saturday 28th June. The athletes will be hoping that racing with some top athletes will help them to improve further on their best times. Please feel free to vote in our poll - "Which athlete will be the next to achieve a personal best time?" (You will find it on the right hand side of the page.)
Thank you to Towani Nyirenda and Maurizio Facci for helping with video and Mr Jamie Dickson for his fantastic photos!
