South Africa’s Vries beat Kaanjuka in 100m dash at Frank’s Meet

WINDHOEK – Namibian sprinter Hitjivirue Kaanjuka showed that the Olympic Solidarity scholarship is paying off when he nearly won the 100m sprint during the 11th Coca-Cola Frank Fredericks Invitational Meeting held at the Independence stadium on Friday evening.

Kaanjuka ended second in 10.37 seconds behind South African runner Sherwin Vries, who clocked 10.34 seconds. Traditionally a 200m-sprinter, Kaanjuka entered the 100m race because there was no 200m race for seniors during the competition.The 19-year-old Kaanjuka started slow out of the blocks but surged forward through putting in a great effort to catch up with Vries.With about 30 metres to go, Kaanjuka dashed forward but it was a bit too late to beat Vries over the finish line.However, Kaanjuka’s time over 100m still showed that he has improved a lot.Another South African, Sergio Mullin, ended third and Namibia’s Cecil Malgas fourth.Kaanjuka received a two-year scholarship from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under the Olympic Solidarity Programme in April 2006 to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games.He is training at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, South Africa until the 2008 Olympic Games.In an earlier interview, Kaanjuka said that with the scholarship, he would strive to improve his physical, mental and psychological strength to be a better sportsman.Another highlight of the night was when Namibian Defence Force (NDF) soldier Frans Hosea beat visiting Kenyan athlete Charles Karaiki over 1500m for senior men.With about 15 metres to go, Hosea overtook Karaiki who was leading for most of the race and sped to the finish line, much to the joy of the Namibian crowd.And although Roger Haitenge could not better his Namibian record of 16.35 metres, he still took top honours in the triple jump on the night with 15.63m, with Harry Kharixub second with 15.18m.Namibian queen of the track Agnes Samaria also showed that she is back in form and injury free when she won the 800m for senior women with flying colours, leaving the second fastest runner, Helena Iipinge, behind with about six seconds.Another South African runner, Cindy Pieters, showed her prowess when she won the 100m sprint 12.50 seconds with Namibia’s Vakuna Rukero second in 12.85 seconds.In the junior competition, Keshia Kalomo shone again when she won the 100m and long jump events, while Tjipekapora Herunga won the 200m and 400m events hands down.Junior sprinter Reagan Ngoshi won the 200m and 400m events in 21.64sec and 48.89sec, respectively.One hundred and fifty athletes took part in the competition with some coming as far as Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique.NampaTraditionally a 200m-sprinter, Kaanjuka entered the 100m race because there was no 200m race for seniors during the competition.The 19-year-old Kaanjuka started slow out of the blocks but surged forward through putting in a great effort to catch up with Vries.With about 30 metres to go, Kaanjuka dashed forward but it was a bit too late to beat Vries over the finish line.However, Kaanjuka’s time over 100m still showed that he has improved a lot.Another South African, Sergio Mullin, ended third and Namibia’s Cecil Malgas fourth.Kaanjuka received a two-year scholarship from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under the Olympic Solidarity Programme in April 2006 to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games.He is training at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, South Africa until the 2008 Olympic Games.In an earlier interview, Kaanjuka said that with the scholarship, he would strive to improve his physical, mental and psychological strength to be a better sportsman.Another highlight of the night was when Namibian Defence Force (NDF) soldier Frans Hosea beat visiting Kenyan athlete Charles Karaiki over 1500m for senior men.With about 15 metres to go, Hosea overtook Karaiki who was leading for most of the race and sped to the finish line, much to the joy of the Namibian crowd.And although Roger Haitenge could not better his Namibian record of 16.35 metres, he still took top honours in the triple jump on the night with 15.63m, with Harry Kharixub second with 15.18m.Namibian queen of the track Agnes Samaria also showed that she is back in form and injury free when she won the 800m for senior women with flying colours, leaving the second fastest runner, Helena Iipinge, behind with about six seconds.Another South African runner, Cindy Pieters, showed her prowess when she won the 100m sprint 12.50 seconds with Namibia’s Vakuna Rukero second in 12.85 seconds.In the junior competition, Keshia Kalomo shone again when she won the 100m and long jump events, while Tjipekapora Herunga won the 200m and 400m events hands down.Junior sprinter Reagan Ngoshi won the 200m and 400m events in 21.64sec and 48.89sec, respectively.One hundred and fifty athletes took part in the competition with some coming as far as Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique.Nampa