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Zimbabwe's Miriam Masiya (center) flanked by Kenya's Belinda Wanjiru (left) and Nigeria's Josephine Clement Benjamin (right)

ZIMBABWE’S junior golf prodigies, Munesu Chimhini and Miriam Masiya, produced impressive performances to clinch gold medals at the Fourth African Youth Games held in Angola.

Chimhini secured a two-shot victory over Namibia’s Sam Nel in the boys’ event, while Masiya registered a commanding 17-shot win over Kenya’s Belinda Wanjiru in the girls’ championship, proudly flying the nation’s flag.

In the boys’ event, Chimhini opened with a level-par 72 to sit just one shot off the lead, which was jointly held by Nel and Nigeria’s Destiny Oyero after both carded 71s. He followed this with a 74 in the second round. The youngster then staged a remarkable comeback, firing a brilliant closing three-under-par 69 to finish on one-under-par 215. His 69 was the best round of the tournament and the only sub-70 score. In the girls’ category, Masiya was dominant throughout, securing a wire-to-wire victory. In top form on the Zimbabwean circuit, she opened with a one-under-par 71 before posting a level-par 72 in the second round. She closed with another 71 to finish on two-under-par 214. She was the only golfer to record an under-par total in the girls’ division, as second-placed Wanjiru finished with a 15-over-par 231. “This is indeed highly commendable, as it is also a testament that our junior golfers are a force to reckon with in the African continent as achieving such victory is no mean feat achievement. Going forward, we hope that they will continue to scale high and achieve more for themselves and make the nation proud. Once again, congratulations, Team Zimbabwe and thank you for being good, Ambassadors,” wrote the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA).

Team Zimbabwe was under the tutelage of Simon Murungweni.