MASERU — Selloane Tšoaeli wrote her name into Lesotho’s sporting folklore when she won gold and bronze medals at the African Senior Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend.
Tšoaeli’s 1.75 metre jump at her third attempt ensured she walked away with the gold medal at Africa’s biggest sporting championships.
She went on to claim a bronze medal in heptathlon a day later.
The 33-year-old Tšoaeli is a heptathlete which means she specialises in the 100 metre hurdles, 200 metres, 800 metres, javelin, shot put, long jump and high jump.
An elated Tšoaeli told the Lesotho Times yesterday that she was satisfied with her achievements.
“It was very hard. I had to work very hard,” Tšoaeli said.
“But I knew it was Women’s month and I did it for the Women.”
Sports and Recreation Minister Mathabiso Lepono yesterday paid tribute to Tšoaeli and another athlete Mosito Lehata who put up a commendable show at the games.
“I wish to congratulate these two athletes for the outstanding performance,” Lepono told a press conference.
Tšoaeli becomes the second local athlete to win a medal at an international sporting event after Thabiso Moqhali who won gold at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in 1998.
She also became the first Mosotho to win two medals at a single international championship.
Tšoaeli is expected to take part in the Commonwealth Games in India in October.
