TJIPEKAPORA Herunga won her second 400m event in six days after she finished first at the Internationales Abendsportfest in Rhede, Germany.
After being Namibia’s only gold medalist at the CAA Southern Africa Senior Championships in Maputo a week ago she continued her good form in Germany. Running in lane 6, Herunga flew out of the blocks and ran a very strong 300m which enabled her to enter the last 100m in pole position, needing only to maintain her rhythm as Magi Maris from Estonia tried in vain to catch up. Herunga ran 53,13 in second place was Maris in 53,43 followed by Kettenis Larissa of Germany who ran 54,11. ‘Tjipekapora’s is very happy to have won her first 400m on European soil and will now look to improve on certain aspects of her race that she believes will lead to improvement in her races and times,’ said her coach Letu Hamhola.Male sprinter Hijivirue Kaanjuka finished seventh in the 100m final with a time of 10,78. Jamaican Ryan Shields won the race in 10,28 followed by Hannes Dreyer (RSA) 10,35 and Deun White (USA) 10,40 was third. In the 200m Kaanjuka managed third in his heat with a time of 21,32. Globine Majova ended sixth in her 100m and unfortunately had to withdraw from the 200m due to a muscle strain. Middle distance runner Daniel Nghipandulwa did not compete as he is nursing a tight hamstring. However he is said to be reacting well to treatment from team physiotherapist Benny Obermuller from Austria.’The team management is happy with the overall performances of the athletes, as it has been a difficult week traveling to and from Mozambique,’ said Hamhola. ‘We were not sure how the athletes will react but they went out and competed well, therefore we just have to work harder and the times will surely improve. ‘However all of them currently have small strains and team masseur is working around the clock to get them fit for the next race. We must say we are blessed to have such an experienced person as Benny (Obermuller) traveling with us as he does a magical job with our athletes.’Hamhola said the physio has treated top athletes such as Frankie Fredericks, Agnes Samaria, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Kerron Steward and Roger Federer.’That’s why we are sure they will be ready for the next races especially Bottrop (in west central Germany) on the 15th were we expect to see the athletes clocking better times,’ Hamhola said. ‘We however just have to monitor the fitness of Daniel closely as we will not rush him back into competitions to soon.’
