Bangala sisters battle it out at Queen of the Sprints 2015!

Johanna pips older sister Maria to win Queen of the Sprints title for first time.

Johanna and Maria were all smiles at the finish.

Johanna Bangala won the Queen of the Sprints competition to snatch the title from her sister Maria in an exciting race on 22nd July. She clocked 13.08 seconds to win by less than a metre from Maria, with the third place competitor, Niza Sikaonga, over a second behind.

In the King of the Sprints competition, pre-race favourite Sambazya Ngulube won in 11.61 seconds.

 Video: Queen of the Sprints 2015

This was a great opportunity for the girls to experience one more taste of competition before they head to the UK on 3^rd August.

If anyone would like to come to any of the meetings scheduled for August, please get in touch. The list of meetings at which the squad will be competing is below.

5^th August – Wimbledon Hercules Open Meeting

10^th August – Blackheath and Bromley Open Meeting

12^th August – Woking AC Open Meeting

13^th August – Brighton and Hove AC Open Meeting

18^th August – Corby AC Open Meeting

23^rd August – Saucony Grand Prix, Southampton

26^th August – Watford Open Meeting

 

Chengelo Elite Athletes prepare for UK trip at annual Sports Day

 CEAS enjoy success at Sports Day.

The annual Secondary Sports Day brought an opportunity to the Chengelo Elite Squad to set personal bests and school records. For Chigomezyo, Maria and Johanna, it was to be the last chance for some competitive racing before the August UK trip. 

Unfortunately, due to injury, Chigo was not able to compete in his 800m race and ran a slow pace to prevent further damage to his hamstring. However, he is now looking forward to recovering fully and being fit for the UK trip in a little over two weeks’ time.

Chigo was forced to restrict himself in the 800m due to injury.

Chigo finished in fifth place due to his careful pace.

Herbert Mithi ran 1500m in a time of 5 minutes 2.64 seconds to win comfortably in the Intermediate Boys’ race. He was admittedly not at his best and should look to be running sub-5 minutes more often next season. However, he could argue that the lack of competition for him is another reason for his relatively slow time.

Herbert was looking to run under 5 minutes in his Intermediate Boys' 1500m.

Herbert could even afford a smile on his way to 1500m victory.

In the 200m, Johanna Bangala smashed the Junior Girls’ record and her personal best by running 25.93 seconds. This was good news for Johanna, who has not recorded a P.B. for almost one year. She will be hoping to run closer to 25 seconds flat in the UK, considering this was on a grass track. Maria also claimed a school record, clocking 26.92 seconds in the Intermediate Girls’ 200m. Maria slowed down towards the end when she knew the race was won and will also be looking to improve on her personal best of 26.50 seconds in the UK.

Johanna was delighted with her time of 25.93 seconds, a personal best.

Maria was running her 200m from lane 3.

Next up was the 100m in which both Bangala sisters were competing again. Johanna ran a school record time of 13.12 seconds, while Maria came under some serious pressure before winning in 13.57 seconds. Maria will be running some 100m races during the UK trip and will hope to get closer to 13 seconds flat or below.

Johanna Bangala had the race won after 20 metres!

Johanna recorded a record time of 13.12 seconds.

Maria got off to a fast start in the 100m sprint.

Maria came under pressure from Liseli Musokotwane in the 100m.

In the 400m, Johanna secured a school record by running 1 minutes 3.24 seconds, while Maria bettered that with a time of 1 minute 2.97 seconds, also a school record. The girls were getting tired at this point and did well to record decent times.

Johanna gets out of the blocks quickly on her way to a school record.

Maria gets up to speed in the 400m race.

Maria dips at the line for her Intermediate Girls' record.

Herbert, Maria and Johanna all ran in the 4x100m relay races to cap off a busy yet successful day. However, there was disappointment for Chigo, Maria and Johanna as their house team succumbed to Herbert’s house team Mukwa for the second year in succession in the final standings.

Mukwa captains and vice-captains celebrate with the trophy.

Chigo, Maria and Johanna travel to the UK on 3rd August for a four week trip. Keep checking the blog during August for updates on their progress!