Williams adds his name to medalists
Ghana 2024
On a hot and humid Monday night in Ghana’s capital, Ryan Williams won a bronze medal in the men’s discus throw on the first day of the athletics programme at the African Games.The national record holder did not come close to his best of 61.15 metres set almost a year ago in Potchefstroom.
The 23-year-old Williams’ best effort on the night (55.42 metres) was only beaten by his South African rival Victor Hogan (62.56) and Algeria’s Khenoussi Oussame (59.97).
“I’m just excited to be here,” Williams said in a media interview afterwards, without revealing much about some difficulties travelling to Ghana over the weekend, that had him nervous about arriving in time for his competition.
“In a way, I’m happy, since I got fourth place at the previous African Games. I did aim to be first or second, but tonight was quite hot and there were some strong guys in the field.”
Williams said he will now be returning to the North West University in Potchefstroom, working towards the SA Universities and SA national athletics championships.
The African Championship also awaits in Yaounde, Cameroon, in late June. Williams won a bronze medal at this level two years ago in Mauritius.
He also declared his ambition of becoming the first Namibian discus thrower to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympipc Games. Only 32 throwers will qualify, with 67.20 metres as the entry standard.
His medal on Monday, the fourth bronze for Namibia at this African Games and overall eighth, did not change the country’s latest position on the medal standings (18th).
By yesterday afternoon, Egypt still led the medals standings with a mammoth 158 medals (91 gold).
• On the African Games men’s cricket schedule, the Richelieu Eagles will conclude their pool fixtures against Tanzania this morning. Losses to Zimbabwe and Nigeria have led to Namibia being on the verge of elimination in the pool stage.