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Lalam ?? wins javelin gold at Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas | THE INDEPENDENT | Josephine Lalam Joyce on Saturday threw 51.89 metres to win Uganda her first medal of the 6th Commonwealth Youth Games – a gold in the javelin.
Lalam,16, earlier pulled out of the discuss event to concentrate on the javelin, and the decision worked perfectly, as gold was secured with a throw of 51.89, with silver going to Bowyer Ellie Frances of Australia with a throw of 50.64m.
It was however a dissapointing night for the other medal prospect Sarah Chelangat who finished 4th in the 3000m in a time of 9.31.65. The race was won by Emmaculate Chepkirui of Kenya, silver medalist at the same distance last week in the World Under 18 athletics championships in Nairobi where Chelangat came 5th.
Chelangat had earlier finished 10th in the final of the girls 1500m at the Youth Games on Thursday.
Uganda was represented at the Games by three teenagers – one boy and two girls.
?for Ellie Bowyer in women’s Jav!! ???@Bahamas2017Cyg @AthsAust @QldAcademySport @qldathletics pic.twitter.com/ca4vQh60z7
— Tessa Storey (@tessa_storey) July 22, 2017
In Bahamas, Chelangat and Lalam Joyce were joined by swimmer Atuhaire Ogola Ambala, 16 , who featured in the boys 200m freestyle and breastroke plus the 400m Individual medley races where he did not get out of the preliminaries.
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 are taking part in the sixth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games that started on July 18 and ends today, July 23.
The participants, aged between 14 and 18, represented 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 featured 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
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
Athletics – Moses Kibet gold 5000m
Athletics – Dickson Huru silver 5000m
Athletics – Doreen Chesang silver 3000m
JAVELIN RESULT
RANKBIBNAMERESULT1
51.892
50.643
47.044
47.045
44.736
43.277
41.148
39.559
37.5210
37.0011
34.4612
34.3313
22.3514
19.14
