By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Luwi Chikomba on Sunday won gold in the U23 women’s category at the 2026 African Cross Country Cycling Championships held in Bingerville, Ivory Coast, from May 30-31.
Chikomba’s victory saw the four-member Zambia team win three medals in the four categories they entered at the African Championships.
In a statement, Kansanshi Mining PLC Corporate Affairs Specialist Clinton Masumba said the performance by Team Zambia was exciting news, especially since all the cyclists hailed from the Kansanshi Cycling Club.
Chikomba won the women’s 25-kilometre U23 category race with a time of 1 hour, 26 minutes and 21 seconds, beating off competition from Ivorian Dahimata Yabre and Obiloma Buana of Cameroon.
Zambia also won a medal in the junior women’s category, where Margret Ngoma finished second to clinch a silver medal.
There was also another silver this time in the men’s U23, where Richard Kashimoto finished third.
Emmanuel Kanguya, who took part in the junior category, finished sixth.
“The team’s success has also shone a spotlight on Kansanshi Mining Plc’s growing role in sports development, with all four athletes sponsored to compete at the continental event. Kansanshi Mining Plc reaffirms its commitment to investing in sport as part of its broader community development strategy,” Masumba said.
“Supporting athletes like Chikomba is not just about competition but about creating opportunities for young people to excel on international platforms. As Kansanshi, we believe our responsibility goes beyond mining. Investing in sports is an investment in people, in discipline, and in the future of our communities.”
