• Amantle Montsho of Botswana, Phyllis Francis of the United States and Kabange Mupopo of Zambia compete during the Women’s 400 metres semi finals during day four of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium in London, United Kingdom on Monday. Picture by Michael Steele/Getty Images

By Shamaoma Musonda –
ZAMBIA’s Kabange Mupopo raced to the finals of the ongoing IAAF world championships after an impressive semi-final showing while sensational Sydney Siame said equaling the national record was humbling.
Mupopo, who is at the world championships for the second time, reached her first ever world championships final after finishing second in her semi-final heat and got an automatic qualification.
Mupopo, who is the African champion, timed an impressive 50.60seconds in the 400m race to also set her season best time and will fancy her chances for a medal in tonight’s final.
She finished only second to Phillis Francis of the United States of America (USA) who clocked 50.37 seconds to be the only qualifiers to the finals from Heat-Three of the semi-finals.
Also putting up a stunning performance at the games was 20-year-old Siame who won his 200m Heat with a time of 20.29 seconds, a record equaling national record.
Siame will tonight be racing in the 200m semi-final and has been placed in the same heat as Jamaican legend Yohan Blake.
He expressed happiness at adding his name to the national record but was quick to state that he was not done yet.
“First of all, it’s a great achievement for me to run a national record. Now looking forward to run faster in the semi-finals,” said the 2014 Youth Olympics gold medalists in the 100m race.
He joins US-based Zambian Gerald Phiri as the record holders in the 200m dash and spoke of his desire to make the finals.
“I can not promise anything now but all I have to do is just to remain focused so that I reach the final. Secondly I would like to thank ZAAA (local athletics body) and my lovely Zambia Police athletics club for the support they are giving me.
“I also thank all the Zambian people, I don’t know what to do but just thank the Zambians very much.I love you all. I am happy so far,” he said.
Asked on the semi-final prospects where he has to contend with Blake among others in his Heat, Siame said at this level, he had had enough exposure as he had raced with the world’s best before.
“This time around I am at different level where I can not fear anyone because I have raced with so many athletes who are running fast this season. I will just run my race,” he said.
An ecstatic ZAAA president Elias Mpondela was full of praise for his two athletes and coach Douglas Kalembo for the professional and well schemed preparations.
“This is a great feeling, we as ZAAA have worked hard to prepare these athletes so they are at their best going into these games. We hope all will be in the final and get something there.
“When you look at their qualification, they are doing great. New national record for Siame and new season best for Mupopo, this is result of hard work and proper planning,” he said.