Maseru – Team Eswatini delivered a strong showing at the Maseru International Meet Challenger held in Maseru on Saturday, March 21, 2026, as athletes returned home with multiple podium finishes and personal best performances ahead of major continental and global competitions.
The 11 member squad, guided by coaches Sibusiso Matsenjwa and Hamilton Mahlanga, alongside team manager Nqobile Dlamini, recorded six personal bests and several season bests during the meet. The competition formed part of preparations for the upcoming African Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
In the sprint events, Zwane Thandaza clocked a season best of 10.58 seconds, improving from 10.72 seconds, to finish third in the 100 metres A final. Maziya Mlandvo posted a personal best of 10.64 seconds, improving from 10.78 seconds, and later ran 21.53 seconds in the 200 metres to secure fourth place in the A final. Simelane Bandzile also impressed with a personal best of 21.92 seconds, down from 22.40 seconds, winning the 200 metres B final.
In the 400 metres category, Matsebula Bongumuzi delivered a personal best of 47.98 seconds from a previous 48.60 seconds to win the B final. Khoza Mthulisi followed with a time of 49.03 seconds, improving from 49.50 seconds, to claim second place in the B final, while Tsabedze Mzwandile recorded 49.39 seconds from 49.80 seconds to take third place.
Middle and long distance runners also delivered podium finishes, with Sangweni Mancoba clocking a personal best of 30 minutes 45.59 seconds to finish third in the 10,000 metres A final. Mayibongwe Vilakati secured second place in the 1500 metres with a time of 4 minutes 4.20 seconds.
The relay teams added to the medal tally, as the men’s 4 by 100 metres team posted a season best of 40.92 seconds to finish second, while the men’s 4 by 400 metres team settled for third place.
Officials noted that the results point to steady progress under structured training programmes run by Athletics Eswatini, with continued backing from the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association playing a key role in providing international competition exposure.
The team has since returned to the Kingdom after what was described as a long but successful trip, with attention now turning to upcoming international competitions.
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