adminShootout in Arizona.
A sophomore at the University of Arizona, Cooke from Harare and a product of Munya Maraire’s World Wide Scholarships Academy finished eighth with a total of 6 573 points.
The previous Zimbabwe national record in the decathlon was held by Stanley Flowers who set it on August 7-8, 1989 in Lagos Nigeria, where he scored 6 519 points.
Cooke (23) is a member of the University of Arizona’s track and field team and competes as a decathlete for the UA team.
From 2009 to 2011, Cooke attended Orange Coast College where he was third in the state for the decathlon and ninth in the nation.
“I came to America to pursue higher education after high school and also to take track as far as I can go,” was quoted as saying after setting a new national record at the weekend.
“My experiences from Zimbabwe have allowed me to really appreciate what America has to offer, just from the basic commodities to the facilities to the different courses and classes that you can take here at the University of Arizona,” said Cooke.
Cooke explained that in Zimbabwe there is no opportunity to pursue his career as a decathlete after high school.
Online Reporter
- Herald
- July 31, 2026
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