Harare-born sprint star Gabriel Mvumvure found the going tough at the IAAF World Championships on the weekend after failing to reach the final of the men’s 100m race at the global showpiece in Moscow, Russia.
Mvumvure struggled to settle into his normal rhythm in the wet conditions in the Russian capital. He came a disappointing sixth in the first semi-final of the 100m.
His sixth place finish ensured he bowed out of medal contention on day two of the competition as only the top two athletes in each semifinal qualified for the final.
Mvumvure completed the semifinal race in 10.21 seconds, to finish behind American Justin Gatlin who clocked 9.94 seconds to finish in first place.
Jamaican Nester Carter claimed the other qualifying slot after coming in a close second, in 9.97 seconds.
Gatlin and Nester went on to claim silver and bronze respectively in the 100m final, behind Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt, who regained his world 100m title after surging to the finishing line in 9.77 seconds.
Mvumvure had, the day before, cleared the first hurdle by coming third in the first round heat in 10.28 seconds.
The former Louisiana State University athlete sprinted to the finishing line behind winner Kemar Bailey-Cole of Jamaica and France’s Christophe Lemaitre.
Mvumvure had gone to the World Championships with high hopes after qualifying for the World Championships with an impressive time. He clocked 9.98 seconds, on his way to winning the men’s 100m event at the Star Athletics Sprint Series in Florida on 8 June, qualifying for the IAAF World Championships with an A standard time.
