Chihowa shines in Illinois

From left: Henry Torres (Colombia), Tendai Chihowa (Zimbabwe), Andres Riveros (Venezuela), Coach Donn Gobbie, Yoog, Benjamin Lawrie (Australia), Sandro Gangregorio (Venezuela) and Yoog Gundani (Australia)

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

UNITED States-based tennis sensation Tendai Chihowa has helped Prairie State College dominate Region Four in Illinois, securing a spot at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) competition.

Chihowa, who was born in Mutare, and his teammates were unstoppable, winning every match to seal their place at the national finals.

The regional contest, featuring schools from the Illinois conference, served as a qualifier for the national championships.

Chihowa is the son of Manica Diamonds chairman Masimba Chihowa.

At the national finals in South Carolina, Chihowa won his first-round match in three sets (2/6, 6/2, 6/4) before losing in the second round (2/6, 1/6).

Final rankings are expected to be released in a month.