Namibia’s Christine Mboma claimed an historic silver medal in the 200m as Nigeria won medals in wrestling and an athletics with Ghana also on the podium on day 11 of the Tokyo Olympics.
Mboma became the first Namibian woman ever to win an Olympic medal, just weeks after being informed she could not compete in her preferred 400m due to high levels of testosterone.
Blessing Oborududu won silver in the women’s freestyle wrestling as her compatriot Ese Brume claimed bronze in the women’s long jump as they clinched Nigeria’s first medals in Tokyo.
Ghanaian boxer Samuel Takyi had to settle for a bronze medal after he lost his featherweight semi-final as he won his nation’s first Olymyic medal since 1992, when the men’s football team also claimed a bronze.
There was history for Egypt’s men as they became the first African nation to reach an Olympic handball semi-final with a win over Germany.
Athletics afternoon session
Athletes Beatrice Maslingi (left) and compatriot Christine Mboma celebrate with Namibian flags after the women’s 200m final
Christine Mboma won silver in the women’s 200m to become the first Namibian woman ever to win an Olympic medal.
The 18-year-old also broke the the world under-20 record for the third time in Tokyo as she ran 21.81s in the final.
Mboma finished behind Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah – who retained her title, completed the sprint double in Tokyo and ran the second fastest time in history.
She also became only the second Namibian athlete ever to win an Olympic medal after Frankie Fredericks, who four silver medals during his career.
Her compatriot Beatrice Masilingi, who is also just 18, set another new personal best as she finished sixth just behind Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou in fifth.
“This is my first Olympics. I came here for experience but I did better (than I expected). I am really happy with my performance. I am proud of myself,” Mboma said after her victory.
“In the past, every time I ran against the best athletes I felt nervous. But I don’t feel nervous now. When I reached the race I lost my nerves and started pushing. I never give up.
“I just focused on the 200m. I just wanted to keep my head down and focus on that. Now I have got a medal. I am happy.”
Both Namibian athletes dropped down from their preferred 400m event after they were informed in July by World Athletics that their testosterone levels were beyond the allowed limit for female athletes to compete over that distance, unless they medically lower their testosterone for a period of at least six months
Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei (right) and his compatriot Jacob Kiplimo (left) both reached the final of the men’s 5,000m at the Tokyo Olympics
Uganda’s world record holder Joshua Cheptegei eased into the final of the men’s 5,000m, as he aims for a second medal in Tokyo having won silver in the men’s 10,000m on Friday.
His compatriot Jacob Kiplimo, the bronze medallist from the 10,000m, finished just ahead of Cheptegei as both progressed by finishing in the top five of the second heat.
Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha was sixth in the same heat to clinch a place in the final as a fastest loser but Lesiba Mashele of South Africa was not quick enough to advance while Kenya’s Samwel Masai did not start.
The first heat was won by Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli as he qualified automatically for the final, with Uganda’s Oscar Chelimo also progressing in fourth.
Getnet Wale of Ethiopia, who finished fourth in Monday’s men’s 3,000m steeplechase final, missed out on another final as he finished ninth.
Another Kenyan Daniel Simiu Ebenyo fell during the race but recovered to catch up with the leaders before fading away towards the end to finish 10th in his heat.
Morocco’s Soufiyan Bouqantar, Ethiopia’s Nibret Melak Bogale and Abidine Abidine of Mauritania all missed out on the final as well.
Source: BBC
