Moorosi Tsiane
LOCAL athletes have continued to struggle at the ongoing African Games in Rabat, Morocco.
Lesotho had until yesterday managed just one medal at the games which started a fortnight ago and are set to end tomorrow.
Lesotho sent 28 athletes to participate in boxing, taekwondo, tennis, athletics and weightlifting.
Michelle Tau is, so far, the only Mosotho athlete to have won a medal at the games. She came second in taekwondo after losing in the final to Soukaina Sahib of Morocco.
From there, it has been a string of poor performances from the local athletes.
The latest disappointing loss was that of star sprinter Mosito Lehata, who came fifth in 100m semifinal and failed to make it into the final.
Phomolo Lekhoana also finished fifth in his heat and failed to proceed to the next stage.
Lerato Sechele, who has also been in an impressive form in triple jump had a poor showing and came fifth.
Teboho Khantsi, Tumelo Makae and Phethetso Monese also failed to rise to the occasion in cycling while in boxing all five boxers namely Tlholohelo Mokhesi, Moroke Mokhotho, Qhobosheane Mohlerepe, Mokhachane Moshoeshoe and Arena Pakela failed to rise to the occasion.
It was the same case in taekwondo with Marumo Moloisane, Ramosoeu Nkuebe and Lemohang Mokhobo all failing to pass the preliminary stages in the male category. In the female category, Rethabile Tjotjo was knocked out in the quarter finals while Tebello Mootisa also failed to advance beyond the preliminaries.
In tennis, Nyathi Motlojoa and Mpalleng Sempe both lost in their first singles matches in singles and were also knocked out early in the doubles.
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In men’s weightlifting, Machachamise Ntsinyi finished ninth in the 73kg category while Thapelo Sebota (61kg) finished sixth.
Athletes who are yet to compete are Makuena Tšosane (weightlifting), Mokulubete Makatisi and Tšepang Sello in female 1500m, Lekhoana and Lehata in 200m, Toka Badboy 5000m and Sechele in Long Jump.
