Mayova, Haitope, Karupu, Nghipandulwa shine in Oshakati

Namibia's big names got the local athletics season underway with decent performances during the Bank Windhoek Grand Prix held at the Oshakati Independence Stadium on Saturday.

As reported in the Namibian:

Globine Mayova, Lavinia Haitope, Basilius Karupu and Daniel Nghipandulwa were the stars of the competition after winning double in their respective events.

Mayova took top honours in the women’s 200m and 400m sprint events, clocking 24,46 and 55,73 seconds respectively.

The determination of 400m national champion Basilius Karupu ensured that he retained his title as 400m Grand Prix Champion when he finished with a time of 48,13 seconds.

Karupu then upstaged favourite Hitjivirue Kaanjuka in the 200m sprint event, as he narrowly edged his rival with a time of 21,72. Kaanjuka however reigned supreme in the men’s 100m with a time of 10,75.

Haitope, who recently finished in the top 40 at the World Half Marathon Championships, was the queen of the middle-distance events as she finished first in both the 1500m and 3000m events.

She posted times of four minutes and 25,04 seconds in the 1500 and nine minutes and 52,25 seconds in the 2000.

Nghipandulwa showed consistency to emerge victorious in the men’s 800m and 1500m events.

Also impressive was Merlyn Diamond, who only just returned from a lengthy injury layoff, powered her way to the women’s 100m victory.

Prize money to the value of N$45150 was sponsored by Bank Windhoek whilst the Coca-Cola Bottling Company was the official drinks sponsor.

The second leg of the Bank Windhoek Grand Prix will take place in Windhoek on the January 12, with the final leg set for February 2 in Swakopmund.