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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
BLESSMORE Chidziva is the winner of this year’s Coca-Cola Four Minute Mile Challenge after the Zimbabwe Republic Police athlete romped to victory in dramatic fashion at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Main Arena yesterday.
Chidziva beat Nyasha Mutsetse about a metre from the finish line when the Bindura University athlete had his hands up in celebration before crossing the race concluding mark. Last year’s winner, Wellington Varevi of Black Rhinos was third this time around.
The 26-year old Chidziva, who crossed the line in four minutes, 13:73 seconds conceded that he was tired and it took strong mental strength for him to finish the race. Mutsetse’s time was four minutes14:00 seconds.
“My father always told me if you have strong mind you win the race but if you don’t have strong mind you can’t win the race. I was tired yes, I tried to use my strong mind to finish this race,’’ Chidziva said while gasping for air shortly after the race.
It was a vast improvement for the Harare based runner who finished in ninth place in 2018 to being the champion this year. He attributed his strong finish this year to being able to stay up with the leading pack. Seeing that he ony fine tuned for yesterday’s race in three weeks, he is convinced that he can break the four minute barrier if he gives himself more time to prepare.
“I am very happy to win this race, last year I was number nine. Last year I started from behind, this time I was close to the frontline that’s why I managed to win the race. I only trained for three weeks, if I train more than three weeks I will break the record,’’ Chidziva said.
For his sweat, Chidziva took home $800 which was accompanied by a shield, miniature trophy and medal. Mutsetse pocketed $400 while $350 went the way of Varevi. Nomore Wiriki was fourth with his reward being $300, $250 was handed over to Isaac Mpofu in fifth place, Tendai Zimuto got $200 which came with his sixth spot finish. Trust Hove pocketed $125 for being seventh, Levison Mapfuwa picked up $100 for ending in eighth place, $75 was given to the oldest athlete to run yesterday, 42-year old Trust Chidomaya who was ninth while Tatenda Hove was tenth which saw him take home $50.
Delta Beverages general manager sparkling beverages Moses Gambiza, southern region sales manager Thembiso Muzvagwa, southern region Moses Chitiyo finance manager, channel execution manager Ntandoyakhe Sibanda presented the athletes with the prizes together with the Bulawayo Athletics Board duo of chairman Manuel Mpofu as well as secretary Rebecca Ncube. — @Mdawini_29
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