Chelangat 10th in Commonwealth Youth Games 1500m final

The Independent July 21, 2017 NEWS, SPORTS Leave a comment

Scotland’s Erin Wallace takes victory in the 1500m Thursday night

Sarah Chelangat ?? 10th in 1500m final at Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas #BahamasCYG2017

Nassau, Bahamas | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s Sarah Chelangat finished 10th in the final of the girls 1500m Commonwealth Youth Games on Thursday.

She finished in 4.26.88, well outside her personal best in the 1500m of 4:21.62 set last month.

The race was won by Scotland’s Erin Wallace, who stunned the field to takes the 1500m gold. Kenya’s Viola Chemutai could only managet silver and New Zealand’s Katrina Robinson the bronze.

Chelangat is fresh from the World Under-18 athletics championships in Nairobi last week where she finished 5th in the 3000m race in 9:40.18. Kenya’s Chepkirui Immaculate, silver medalist in the 3000m in Nairobi, could only manage 10th place.

Uganda is represented at the Games by three teenagers.

In Bahamas, Chelangat who will also feature in her favourite 3000m final on Saturday, is joined by athlete Josephine Lalam Joyce, 16 who did not compete in the girls discuss on Friday and is now scheduled to appear in the Javelin final on Saturday, and swimmer Atuhaire Ogola Ambala, 16 , who featured in the boys 200m freestyle and breastroke plus the 400m Individual medley races.

Atuhaire was 7th in heat 1 of 400m Individual Medley swimming on Thursday. A day earlier, he came 2nd in his 200m Freestyle Heat 1 in 2:07.97 (36th out of 39) and 15th out of 16 in 200m Breastroke.

Uganda has a rich history in the Commonwealth Youth Games, having won 14 medals in track and field athletics at the last three games in Samoa in 2015, Isle of Man in 2011 and in Pune India in 2008.

More than 1,000 young athletes will take part in the sixth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games between 18 and 23 July.

Atuhaire Ogola Ambala carrying the national flag at the Commonwealth Youth Games opening ceremony in Bahamas Tuesday night

The participants, aged between 14 and 18, will represent each of the 52 Commonwealth countries (or 70 participating national teams) and will compete in nine sports events over the course of six days.

The 2017 Games will feature three new sports, beach soccer, judo and beach volleyball whilst dropping archery, lawn bowls, weightlifting, and squash. Cycling will also make a return during these games.

UOC and Athletics official Godfrey Nuwagaba and UOC’s Jacqueline Nakiddu are leading the Ugandan team.

Chef de mission Godfrey Nuwagaba after the @Bahamas2017Cyg Delegation Registration Meeting in Bahamas @thecgf @insidethegames @william_blick pic.twitter.com/FUfzn4NGpM

— NOC UGANDA (@Official_UOC) July 17, 2017

The 3000m race in Nairobi where Chelangat finsihed 5th. PHOTO IAAF

Great Commonwealth history for Uganda

Uganda has a rich history at the youth level, especially in athletics where the Commonwealth Youth Games have introduced the likes of Halimah Nakaayi to the big stage. The games were first held in Edinburgh in 2000 with Uganda getting onto the medal scene in a big way in Pune, India in 2008.

Commonwealth medals for Uganda

2015

Apia Samoa – Two Silver, two bronze.

Athletics – Peruth Chemutai silver in girls 1500m and 3000m
Athletics – Janat Chamutso bronze in girls 1500m and 3000m

2011

Isle of Man – 1 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze

Athletics – Halimah Nakaayi 400m gold

Athletics – Phillip Kipyeko bronze 3000m
Athletics – Zac Kiprotich silver 2000m SC

Athletics – Nancy Cheptegei 3000m silver
Athletics – Nancy cheptgeri 2000m sc silver

2008

Pune, India – 1 Gold, 4 silver

Athletics – Elvis Ukale silver 400m
Athletics – Alex cherop silver 1500m