By ADRIAN MWANZA
ZAMBIAN medal hopeful Gerald Phiri and two others stormed the 100 m semi-finals at the on-going Confederation of African (CAA) Athletics senior challenge in Durban, South Africa.
Phiri, who raced in heat four, recorded the fastest time among the Zambian sprinters timing 10:23 seconds to finish Ben Youssef of Ivory Coast who clocked 10:22 seconds while Brian Kasinda finished third in heat three.
Kasinda clocked 10:48 seconds in a heat won by Ivorian Cisse Gue Arthur who hit 10.39 seconds and Titus Kafunda completing the semi finals list with a time of 10.53 seconds behind winner Qswaray Johs of Senegal (10.44 seconds) and South African Qleotlela Gift (10.47 seconds).
Youth Olympics gold medallist Sidney Siame is expected to take to the track on Saturday in the 200m event.
Kafunda said he was working on improving his time during the semi for him to qualify for the finals were he aiming to win a medal.
He expressed confidence that the runners will perform well and win medals for Zambia.
“We have started on a good note and just hope we perform well in the semi finals if we are to keep our hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games alive and even minting medals alive.
