Namibia’s Beatrice Masilingi overcame a poor start to win a silver medal in the 100-metre (m) race at the ongoing 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday.

Masilingi came home in a time of 11:39 seconds (s) behind Tina Clayton of Jamaica who won the gold medal in a time of 11:09s.

Third place and bronze medal went to Melissa Gutschmidt of Switzerland in a time of 11:51s.

Masilingi’s coach Henk Botha said the wet track made it difficult for her, making her miss her strides.

“I am very happy with the result as Masilingi becomes the first Namibian to win a medal at the World Championships junior level. We are very happy with the silver medal, especially considering the fact that the gold medal was won by a Jamaican athlete,” Botha said.

Masilingi did not have the best of starts but recovered midway through the race to finish second.

Her time in the final was nowhere near her personal best and Namibia national U-20 record of 11.20s which she set on Wednesday during the first heat of the 100m race.

Masilingi will now turn her attention to the 200m race where she is expected to dominate with teammate Christine Mboma.

Source: Namibia Press Agency