MBABANE – The country’s quest for a medal at the Commonwealth Games since 2006 continues.
Yesterday saw Eswatini’s fastest woman Bongiwe ‘Smolly’ Mahlalela deliver a stunning season’s best of 11.96s in 100 metres, but it was still not enough to secure a semi-final berth.
In the men’s event, fellow sprinters Mlandvo Maziya and Thandaza Zwane fought tooth and nail, both posting impressive 10.69s times before bowing out. Later yesterday evening, pugilist Mukelo Dlamini was expected to take the ring against Zambia’s Albert Ngulube. Dlamini received a bye in the first round and progressed straight to the Last 16 in his category.
Elsewhere, the final batch of Team Eswatini departed yesterday via King Mswati III International Airport at Sikhuphe, with the judo delegation beginning their journey to Scotland.
The judo contingent consists of former African champion Lamulela Magagula and her coach Mashumi Sihlongonyane. Judo is expected to start competing on Friday as per the official Commonwealth Games website.
Furthermore, all eyes will be on runner Bongumenzi Matsebula today as he takes on the 400m event.
Eswatini’s two swimmers Hayley Hoy and Damien De Sousa bowed out with pride at the Commonwealth Games after suffering setbacks two days ago.
This extended the nation’s 20-year wait for a podium finish. Hoy was the unluckiest after securing second place in her heat at 1:08:37 minutes of the butterfly event. This time derailed her chances to progress to the next round as even Gabon’s Noelie Lacour who secured first place did not qualify. Lacour clocked in at 1:05:23 minutes but the other heats produced faster times.
Earlier on, Australia-based swimmer Siwakhile Dlamini stepped onto the starting blocks in the 100m freestyle. Regardless, she suffered a setback in heat one and obtained sixth place after 1:02:82 minutes. Despite the result, she secured a personal best (PB) in this event, breaking her entrance record of 1:03:87.
Dlamini will have an opportunity to redeem herself today when she competes in the 50m freestyle at Tollcross Swimming Centre. Furthermore, De Sousa once again challenged himself in another style. De Sousa competed in heat two of the 50m breaststroke, achieving third place in 31:05 seconds. However, this result was not enough to secure him a place in the next round.
The country remains without a medal at this stage since 2006, when boxer Simanga Shiba captured a bronze medal in Melbourne, Australia. The opening days in Glasgow offered no instant relief, starting in the boxing ring last Friday when Siboniso Vilakati suffered a unanimous 5-0 defeat at the hands of Namibia’s Philip Haoseb in their 55kg round of 32 clash.
