8/4/10

Morocco takes gold in 400m race

Morocco's quest to win more medals in the Senior Africa athletics Championship was boosted on the final day on Sunday as Hayat Lambarki won the women's 400m hurdle.

It was always going to be a close contest with Nigeria and Liberia seeking to exert their dominance in the sprint hurdle race. But at the first bent, Lambark had gained the edge over her rivals and relaxed.

Nigeria's Ajoke Odumosu started eating up the gap and by the third bent was level with the Moroccan while Maureen Jelegat of Kenya emerged from behind to claw her way into contention.

As the trio came for the final straight, it was Lambarki who was stronger to win in 55.96 second while Odumosu was the silver medalist in 55.97 with Jelegat winning a rare medal for Kenya in the sprints as she came in third for the bronze in 56.74.

Liberia's Kuo Lougon was fourth in 57.17 ahead of Burundi's Aissata Soulama 57.19 while Madagascar's Olga Razanamalala 57.51 was sixth. Wenda Theron of South Africa 57.70 was seventh with Carole Made Kaboud 58.05 finishing last.
Women's 400m hurdles gold winner Hayat Lambarki of Morocco (C) poses on the podium with her compatriot and silver medallist Lamia el-Habz (L) and bronze winner Faiza Jumaa Omar of Sudan during the 16th Arab Atheltics Championships in Damascus on October 9, 2009.