Ashley Kamangirira put up a good fight yesterday in the women’s 400m hurdles semi-final at Japoma Stadium to qualify for today’s final.

Competing in one of two semi-final heats, Kamangirira finished third in 56.73 seconds to book her place in today’s final.

The top three in each heat and the two best times in each heat advanced to the final.

“I’m happy to be able to go to the next round, to reach the final. The atmosphere here is different.

“As for the race itself, there are still technical things I can clean up to prepare for the next round,” Kamangirira said.

Looking ahead to today’s final, Kamangirira hopes to have a good day on the court, as he also has Olympic qualification in his sights.

“I’m just going to be a little more aggressive and really focus on my technique.

“I feel like I’m fast enough and strong enough. I have a good finish. I just need a better start and in the middle execute my race better.”

“Tomorrow I just want the best time. I want to break Zim’s record. And I hope in the process to get closer, I guess move up my rank, try to get to Paris,” Kamangirira said.

Qualification for the Olympic Games closes on June 30.