Inzikuru wins steeplechase

MELBOURNE – World champion Dorcus Inzikuru of Uganda won the Commonwealth Games women’s 3 000 metres steeplechase yesterday after a last-lap stumble ended Australian Melissa Rollison’s brave challenge.

Inzikuru put on a late burst of speed to finish in nine minutes 19.51 seconds, raising her arms in triumph before sinking to her knees in prayer after crossing the line. Australian champion Rollison had stayed on the Ugandan’s shoulder for the last three laps as the two leaders kicked clear of the pack before disaster struck with less than 300 m remaining.The Australian took silver in 9:24.09, more than six seconds inside her personal best, just ahead of her compatriot Donna MacFarlane, who took the bronze in 9:25.05.Meanwhile, Swimmer Roland Schoeman clinched his third title of the Commonwealth Games here on Tuesday as South Africa saw their gold count reach nine.On a memorable day for the South Africans, shooter Diane Swanton also picked up gold, as did women’s discus thrower Elizna Naude.In weightlifting, Babalwa Ndlelini picked up a bronze in the 75 kg class.Schoeman overcame a cold to clinch victory in the men’s 50 m freestyle final.The US-based sprinter broke Australian Brett Hawke’s Games record of 22.30 seconds in winning gold in 22.03secs from Canada’s Brent Hayden (22.19) and Hawke (22.31).Schoeman has been feeling under the weather this week but decided to go out and enjoy himself in his last event of the Games.- Nampa-AFPAustralian champion Rollison had stayed on the Ugandan’s shoulder for the last three laps as the two leaders kicked clear of the pack before disaster struck with less than 300 m remaining.The Australian took silver in 9:24.09, more than six seconds inside her personal best, just ahead of her compatriot Donna MacFarlane, who took the bronze in 9:25.05.Meanwhile, Swimmer Roland Schoeman clinched his third title of the Commonwealth Games here on Tuesday as South Africa saw their gold count reach nine.On a memorable day for the South Africans, shooter Diane Swanton also picked up gold, as did women’s discus thrower Elizna Naude.In weightlifting, Babalwa Ndlelini picked up a bronze in the 75 kg class.Schoeman overcame a cold to clinch victory in the men’s 50 m freestyle final.The US-based sprinter broke Australian Brett Hawke’s Games record of 22.30 seconds in winning gold in 22.03secs from Canada’s Brent Hayden (22.19) and Hawke (22.31).Schoeman has been feeling under the weather this week but decided to go out and enjoy himself in his last event of the Games.- Nampa-AFP