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ZIMBABWE’S athletes are finding the going tough at the Youth Olympic Games currently underway in China with middle-distance runners, Titus Nyati and Enlitha Ncube finishing 12th and 11th in their respective categories on the fourth day of the event.Nyati came 12 out of 16 athletes in the men’s 3 000m event in a time of 8:39.67 to qualify for final B. The heat was won by Ethiopia’s Kejelcha Yomif Atomsa in 8:05:85 minutes followed by Moses Koech of Kenya in a time of 8:06:50minutes.

Spain’s Jordi Teixidor Torrents was third to cross the finish line in 8:13:89minutes.

Ncube posted a time of 9:44:24minutes in the girls 3 000m event to also qualify for final B. There were 20 athletes and Ncube slightly missed the opportunity to qualify for final A composed of the first 10 athletes from the heat which was made up of 20 athletes.

Both Nyati and Ncube will take part in final B on Sunday to decide their rankings and Zimbabwe’s hopes for a medal are now hinging on Mary Joy Mudyiravanji wgo is scheduled to run tomorrow. There was no joy for Chad Idensohn who had a promising start when he made it for the men’s 50m freestyle swimming competition as he could not go past the semi-final stage where he finished seventh in 25:10seconds. – CL Reporter