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Uganda: Bayiga, Adar in Semis, Nanziri Out
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The Monitor (Kampala)
1 May 2008
Posted to the web 1 May 2008
Sande Bashaija
Addis Ababa
Emily Nanziri was a victim of repulsive weather as she bowed out of the Africa Senior Championships 400m heats but counterparts Justine Bayiga and Waisswa Lukungu cruised to the semifinals with credible performances on Wednesday night.
Evening session events at the Addis Ababa stadium came to a standstill for about 40 minutes with a strong downpour but Ethiopians seemed to enjoy every moment of it, being the second time it had rained in the month of April.
They danced, sang and jubilated despite being in the open stands. Nanziri though failed to deal with the chilly conditions and soggy track, coming fifth in Heat 3 in a time of 57.16 that wasn't good enough to send her to the semifinals.
Bayiga though, posted an impressive 54.54, finishing second in the proceeding heat to book a place in the penultimate stage. Despite, leaving the blocks last, Lukungu, chased a star-studded pack to clock 48.78 (400m) that propelled him to the next stage.
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Lukungu's heat was won by Nigerian James Godday in 47.03. Jimmy Adar (800m), who has been tipped by coach Benjamin Longilos to grab a medal and qualify for the Olympics, registered 1:53.89 to qualify for semis.
He ran neck and neck with winner Kenyan David Rudisha (1:52.80) but was beaten to the line by homeboy Henok Legesse (1:53.22). The semifinals were due last night.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Gebremariam Gebregzaibh, set the Addis stadium alight when he broke away from the pack with 15 laps, winning the men's 10000m race in 28:17.11. Countrymen Jeilan Ebrahim and Wondemu Eshetu followed to deny Kenya a chance of dominating the race.
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