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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
THE pair of Fortunate Chidzivo and Ngonidzashe Ncube are set to return to the World Athletics Championships following their qualification recently.
The two marathon runners earned their tickets to the championships on ranking performance.
The world meet is due to take place from August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Chidzivo and Ncube join another marathon runner Isaac Mpofu and sprinter Tapiwa Makarawu, who secured their places at the championships after running the qualifying times in their respective events.
Chidzivo represented the country at the 2017 World Championships in London and Ncube was at the 2019 edition together with Mpofu, in Doha, Qatar.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara said they received the confirmation of the two athletes’ qualification a few days ago.
“The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe is happy to announce that Ngonidzashe Ncube and Fortunate Chidzivo qualified for the World Championships to be held in Budapest in the marathon through their global ranking.
“So the two qualified on ranking performance which is determined by various countries’ performances in the event. We were informed on Tuesday that they have qualified.
“They will join Isaac Mpofu for the World Championships. So we now have three marathon runners for the World Championships,” said Tagara.
The qualifying period for the marathon closed on May 30. Ncube said he is excited and has already begun working towards his participation at the championships.
“I was really excited when I heard the news from Mr Tagara and the secretary general, Cynthia Phiri. I couldn’t believe it because it was my wish to attend the last edition of the World Championships in Oregon and I failed.
“And this time I was hoping to qualify again but a lot happened and I could not run the qualifying time, and I thought it was over. So I am very happy that I managed to qualify through the ranking.
“I have already started training for that. I am in camp. My hope is to go there and run a good time. If possible, my wish is to run the qualifying time for the Olympics at the World Championships.
“So I am trying to work on my weaknesses in the remaining days until I go. We are trying to work and correct one or two things. We are working together with Fortunate.
“I think I can take off some time and reduce my personal best, that’s what we are working on. I just need to work on my speed because in terms of endurance I am okay,” said Ncube.
Ncube’s personal best is 2 hours 11 minutes.
Mpofu, Chidzivo and Ncube are expected to go into a camp being organised by NAAZ, in Harare from next month for their final training ahead of the World Championships.
While the qualifying period for marathon closed on May 30, qualification for track and field events is still open.
NAAZ are hoping the likes of US-based sprinters such as Donald Chiyangwa, Simbarashe Maketa, Makanakaishe Charamba and Tinotenda Matiyenga as well as high jumper Kudakwashe Chadenga also make the entry standards for the world meet.
“The plan for the marathon runners is that from July we want them to camp in Harare until they leave for Budapest. And we already have the plans for that in place and we are working on it.
“So far, we also have one track athlete that has qualified, Makarawu, who is based in the USA. We are hoping two or more qualify because the qualification period for the sprints and all other track events ends on the 30th of July.
“So we are hoping that two or three more athletes will qualify and represent Zimbabwe,” said Tagara.
The likes of Wellington Varevi and Moses Tarakinyu are chasing qualification for 10,000m.
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