Nyirarukundo qualifies for Rio Olympic Games

Women 10.000m Top seven 1. Alice Aprot (Ken) 30:26:942. Jackline Chepngeno (Ken) 31:27:733. Joyline Jepkosgei (Ken) 31:28:284. Salome Nyirarukundo (Rwa) 31:45:825. Demisa Shure Ware (Eth) 32:14:256. Tilahun Yenenesh Dinkesa (Eth) 32:17:387. Clementine Mukandanga (Rwa) 33:28:64 Rwanda’s Salome Nyirarukundo has qualified for the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympic Games set for August 5-21 in Brazil—she qualified in the women’s 10,000m category. The 19-year-old Nyirarukundo qualified on Saturday evening after impressing at the 20th edition of Africa Athletics Senior Championship that concluded in the South African city of Durban on Sunday. Making her debut appearance at the biennial continental showpiece, along with compatriots; Beatha Nishimwe and Clementine Mukandanga, Nyirarukundo booked her ticket to Rio after finishing fourth in the final of the women 10,000m. The APR athletics club teenager clocked 31:45:82, well below the minima time of 32 minutes and 15 seconds, to become the latest Rwandan athlete to qualify for the Rio Olympics. Kenyans, Alice Aprot (30:26:94), Jackline Chepngeno (31:27:73) and Joyline Jepkosgei (31:28:28), claimed the first three places. Nyirarukundo was supposed to also compete in the 5000m but according to Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) technical director John Peter Ndacyayisenga, they decided to withdraw from this category and focus on the 10,000m where she had more chances to qualify. Before flying to Durban last week, Nyirarukundo was the only Rwandan athlete to attain a podium finish in this year’s Kigali International Peace half marathon after finishing second. “My dream is to qualify for the Olympic Games and I feel very confident given how well I have prepared,” she told Times Sport before departure. Meanwhile, her compatriot Mukandanga, who finished seventh, failed to make the standard time after she used 33 minutes 28 seconds and 64 microseconds. Nishimwe, 18, also was also unlucky after missing the standard time in the 1500m by just two seconds. She finished 7th after using four minutes and eight seconds—the the standard time being four minutes and six seconds. Following Nyirarukundo’s qualification, it means Rwanda has already booked four athletic tickets for the Rio Olympic Games. The qualified athletes include; Jean-Baptiste Simukeka and Claudette Mukasakindi currently training in Iten, Kenya as well as Netherland-based Ambroise Uwiragiy, who will join the duo in Iten later this month. The trio will compete in full marathon. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Nyirarukundo qualifies for Rio Olympic Games