tawandamusarurwa
Deputy Sports Editor
ZIMBABWEAN high jump starlet Kudakwashe Chadenga is presently basking in the glow of his bright start to the year in the United States.
The 20-year-old recently hit the headlines after being named the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Indoor National Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.
That accolade capped off quite a remarkable indoor season for the South Plains College student.
He won the title with a jump of 2,23 metres at the 2023 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Topeka, Kansas, which was one of five clearances of the height this season.
No other athlete has ever achieved this jump or higher more than once in a single season.
Interestingly, the indoor championship jump was not his season’s best.
The athlete made a 2,26-metre jump at the Corky Classic, which saw the Zimbabwean equal the NJCAA indoor record.
“Becoming the NJCAA Field Athlete of the Year came as a surprise to me, if I am to be totally honest,” said Chadenga.
“I was not expecting it at all and had no clue that I was even in the running.
“They (NJCAA) walked me through the process of selection and, apparently, it was due to the fact that most of the jumps I made this season were so high that some even qualified for the top 10 of the best NJCAA jumps of all time,” he said.
It would be remiss not to mention that Chadenga had some good and all-too-familiar company on the podium at the awards ceremony.
He was one of three Zimbabweans to reap the rewards of their hard work and excellence during the just-ended indoor season.
Tapiwanashe Makarawu of New Mexico Junior College and Meridian’s Privilege Chikara were also named the national men’s and women’s Track Athlete of the Year, respectively.
Both were national champions at the recent indoor competitions, with Makarawu a double winner in the 60- and 200-metre sprints, while Chikara won in the 800m and mile (1,6km) races.
However, the moment in the sun belongs to Chadenga, who, rather than let his bright start get to his head, has opted to stay level-headed.
One could even say he is at peace, as the former Prince Edward High learner seems to have found balance in life.
He has even started to enjoy his second year at South Plains College, where he is studying Business Management.
“School is good . . . I am enjoying it very much.
“With the indoor season now finished, I am concentrating on getting my grades
up.
“After school, the goal is to become a professional high jumper, but that doesn’t mean I have to neglect my schoolwork,” he said.
Chadenga has not been short of companionship, with a number of student athletes, mostly fellow foreigners, helping him settle into his new surroundings.
He spends Mondays up to Thursdays solely focused on his education, while Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for track meets.
Chadenga trains every day, though, but hardly lets the two pursuits — athletics and his schoolwork — affect the other.
After the strong start to the year, the athlete is also dreaming of gracing both the World Championships in Hungary in August and next year’s Olympics.
“I am tired of watching these big meets on television; now is the time to go there and get a taste of them myself.
“I have discussed the prospects of going to both the World Championships and the Olympics, and it is something I am working towards.
“The qualification height for the World Championships is 2,32 metres, and we are already working on it.
“We have been working on a couple of things to help get those qualification marks, things like my run-up and technique, and we have also reduced my schedule,” he said.
“Unlike last year, I am not competing in every meet, and only attending those that will really give me the much-needed competition and exposure.
“Hopefully, it works out.”
Online Reporter