Namibia scoops fourth spot at Marrakech Grand Prix

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Team Namibia bagged nine more medals on day three of the 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday to finish fourth on the medal standing.

The 2022 Sixth International Para Athletics Meeting was held in the city of Marrakech, with 40 countries competing for top honours from 15 to 17 September 2022 at the Marrakech Grand Stadium.

After three days of competition, Team Namibia raked in 31 medals and finished just a step outside of the podium place. The medals won by Namibian athletes include nine gold, eight silver and 14 bronze.

Brazil led the standings with 36 medals (20 gold, 13 silver and three bronze), while the Islamic Republic of Iran were second with 26 medals, 13 gold, seven silver and six bronze.

Host Morocco took the last podium position with 48 medals – 10 gold, 16 silver and 22 bronze.

Tunisia locked up the top five positions with 10 medals, eight gold, one silver, and one bronze.

On the last day of the championship on Saturday, Ananias Shikongo a T11, sprinter won gold in the 400 metres (m), while T54 wheelchair race Roodley Gowaseb won the other gold in the 5000m race.

Team Namibia’s silver medals came from Bradley Murere in the F46 long jump, Johannes Nambala in the T13 400m, Petrus Karuli in the T37 400m, Lahja Ishitile in the T11 400m, and Christopher Marungu in the T12 400m.

Meanwhile, Lahja Ipinge won a bronze medal in the mixed T11/12 women’s 400m sprint while Chris Kinda won another bronze in the T11 400m men’s race.

In an interview with Nampa on Sunday team coach Edward Kapewasha said having a great competition for three days had Namibian athletes excited.

“Since day one, we made a mark on track and field events and athletes were really up to the task to ensure some victories. I am really satisfied with the team’s work and performance,” he said.

Kapewasha added that this group of 26 athletes and their guides collected 31 medals to be ranked fourth out of the 40 nations that competed at the event and this speaks volumes.

“The team’s conduct was fantastic. There was great teamwork from both athletes. The support staff were amazing and supported our Para athletes. We appreciate the continued support from NamPower which enables the Namibian Para Athletes with competition opportunities,” Kapewasha said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency