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Qatar: The 17th edition of the World Athletics Championships started on Friday, September 27, 2019, and will feature several highlights spanning 10 days as the biennial event is staged in the Middle East for the first time.
A total of 1,972 athletes from 208 countries and territories will compete in the championships, which are seen as an important staging post as Qatar prepares for the challenge of hosting football’s World Cup in 2022.
With the bulk of the competition taking place at the fully air-conditioned Khalifa Stadium, most athletes will be shielded from the ferocious heat and humidity in Doha, where temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Uganda’s Halimah Nakaayi pulled off one of this year’s biggest upsets when she won the women’s 800m category, beating pre-race favorite Ajee Wilson who only managed bronze.
Uganda was perfectly poised to make history, as it had two finalists in the race,the first time the country was featuring in the World Championships finals.
“I was feeling so good, I knew something special was going to happen tonight,” said Nakaayi, whose only previous big meet medal came at the All Africa Games in August, where she took bronze.
“So I just kept pushing and pushing. I was feeling strong and in the end I got it.”
Nakaayi celebrated with her compatriot, Winnie Nanyondo, who finished fourth in 1:59.18.
Nakaayi returns to action on Wednesday in the heats of the 1500m.
Propelled by a perfectly-timed homestretch kick, Uganda’s Halimah Nakaayi pulls off upset victory in the 800m.
?: https://t.co/L1e4TMlM1C pic.twitter.com/j88YuiCh8h— IAAF (@iaaforg) September 30, 2019
Congratulations to Halima Nakaayi who has just won the 800m women’s final at the #IAAFDoha2019. Congratulations to Winnie Nanyondo for putting up a great show in the same race. Your country is proud of you!— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) September 30, 2019
Wululu
wololo … dance girls dance… thank you Halima Nakaayi, you have done us proud. Gold for Uganda in the women’s 800m #IAAFDoha2019 #Uganda #HalimaNakaayissojo81pic.twitter.com/lhXb1Z48Sl— Claire Amanya (UgLadyLawyer) September 30, 2019
Medals Table – Africa
- Kenya, 2 Gold Medal, 1 Bronze medal (4th overall)
- Ethiopia, 1 Gold, 2 Silver (5th)
- Uganda, 1 Gold (6th)
- Burkina Faso, 1 Bronze medal (17th)
- Ivory Coast,1 Bronze medal (17th)
- Namibia, 1 Bronze medal (17th)
