Slowly by slowly, hopes of a medal at the Commmonwealth Games slated July 27 – August 3 in Glasgow are inclining towards Winnie Nanyondo.
Thanks to her inspiring runs around Europe over the 800m distance. She broke a two-minute barrier and finished second in a personal best time of 1:59.39 in the 800m race at the IAAF World Challenge Meet in Dutch city Hengelo.
And on Tuesday night, she stunned the crowd with a surprise victory at the IAAF Golden Spike Meet in Czech Republic city of Ostrava.
The 20-year-old powered down the homestretch and away from a crowded 14-woman field to earn a surprise victory in a new personal best time of 1:59:27.
“It was a hard race and I’m very happy,” Nanyondo told iaaf.org moments after celebrating with a little dance before kneeling to the track and raising her arms to the sky. “It’s only my second race in Europe and I have to say I like it here.”
Nanyondo came ahead of home girl Maryna Arzamasava, who ran down American Molly Beckwith in the waning stages to take second, 1:59.65 to 1:59.77, season’s bests for both.
Czech Lenka Masna (1:59.93) and Sifan Hassan (1:59.95) of The Netherlands also dipped under two minutes.
IAAF WORLD CHALLENGE GOLDEN SPIKE – OSTRAVA
WOMEN’S RESULT – 800M
1. Winnie Nanyondo (UGANDA) 1:59.27
2. Maryna Arzamasava (BELARUS) 1:59.65
3. Molly Beckwith (USA) 1:59.77
WINNIE NANYONDO
Date of birth: August 23, 1993
Major races: 800m, 1500m
Personal best: 1:59.27 (800m), 4:22.62 (1500m)
Honours: 2014 World University Cross-Country (Gold)