Sugira qualifies for Youth Olympic Games

1500m Boys’ final 1. Gilbert Kwemoi (Ken) 03:45:39 2. Assefa Mulugeta (Eth) 03:46:84 3. Smaili Mostafa (Mor) 03:47:99 7. James Sugira (Rwa) 03:56:95 Volleyball, Today Mauritius vs Bostwana Nigeria vs Kenya Rwanda vs Egypt GABORONE – Team captain James Sugira put on a spirited performance yesterday to finish seventh in the 1500m final at the Botswana National Stadium to qualify for this summer’s Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. The 18-year- old APR athlete clocked three minutes, 56 seconds and 95 micro seconds to finish behind winner, Gilbert Kwemoi of Kenya, who clocked 03:45:39, while Ethiopia’s Assefa Mulugeta secured silver and Smaili Mostafa from Morocco took bronze. Despite securing a ticket for Nanjing Games, Sugira failed to make the minimum time requirement for the July IAAF World Youth Championship due in USA. The world championship qualification time is 03:48.00. Speaking to Times Sport after the race, Sugira said, “I ran in a race full of talented runners but I did my best. I wish I had better preparations, I would have done much better.” Meanwhile, Rwandan female riders, Clementine Niyonsaba and Benitha Uwamarayika as well as swimmer Isiaq Irankunda also booked tickets to the Nanjing Youth Games. Other Rwandans, who had already qualified for Nanjing Games include; the beach volleyball teams of Seraphine Mukantambara and Lea Uwimbabazi (girls) as well as Justin Munyinya and Sylvestre Ndayisaba (boys). It is the first time beach volleyball is included for the Youth Olympics following the first edition held in Singapore in 2010. Elsewhere, Potien Ntawuyirushintege finished eighth in the 3000m final clocking 8:14.59, while his counterpart Jacqueline Murekatete was disqualified in the girls 3000m. Boxing Haziza Matusi failed to go past the preliminary round, losing to Zohidjon Hoorboyev from Uzbekistan in the light flyweight (48kg) category. Swimming Marie Claudine Iradukunda failed to progress past the preliminary round of the girls 50m freestyle event. Fencing Ange Nisingizwe failed to proceed to the second round of the U-17 boys Epee in Fencing. He was grouped alongside Egyptian Elsokkary Ahmad, Senegalese Amady Balla, Tsimele Kgosi from Botswana, Djibo Ibrah from Nigeria, Sylla Yacouba from Mali and Divin Mikanga from Congo in Group A. He lost 4-5 to Ahmad from Egypt; 2-5 to Malian Yacouba; 4-5 to Congo’s Mikanga, 3-5 to Senegalese Balla, 3-5 to Botswana’s Kgosi and 3-5 to Nigerian Ibrah. Nisingizwe was also beaten by Tunisian Mohammed Metoui in the first round’s knock out match losing 2-12.