Epworth star for gold

Don Makanyanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub

At just 16, Nyasha Dzimati is turning childhood races on dusty Mhondoro paths into a national dream – one stride, one medal, and one unstoppable vision at a time.

What began as playful dashes through the dusty tracks of Mhondoro-Mubaira has become a mission, one powered by grit, talent, and a teenager’s unwavering belief in a better future.

Long-distance runner Nyasha Dzimati is not only outrunning her competitors, she’s racing toward a dream that could one day see her standing on an international podium, the Zimbabwean flag wrapped around her shoulders.

“My dream is to represent my country and walk with the flag wrapped around my body at an international event,” she says, with a mix of pride and longing. “But more than that, I want to stand on the podium and receive a medal.”

That fire has carried her from rural obscurity to a medal-filled shelf, with 23 podium finishes and counting. And it’s just the beginning.

Dzimati’s story starts in Mhondoro-Mubaira, where she first discovered her gift while attending Watyoka Primary School. She was just seven years old when she began entering school races, and her talent quickly stood out.

“I would outshine my age mates and often be grouped with older kids. But even then, I still finished on the podium,” she recalls.

“It was more hobby than ambition at the time, a joyful escape from daily life. But by Grade Seven, her passion had matured into something more serious. She gravitated toward “the rounds,” the long-distance races that tested endurance and heart.

“I was selected to represent the province in Kariba. I had won the gold medal,” she says. “But I was told I couldn’t go to nationals because there was no money. I was heartbroken . . . and I quit athletics.”

Years later, a new school would bring her back to the sport she once abandoned.

Now living in Epworth’s Muguta area and enrolled at Epworth Methodist Academy, Dzimati had no intention of returning to competitive athletics, until the school held its inter-house competitions.

“It was just for fun. I wanted to challenge some people,” she says, laughing. “But I found myself back on the track, and winning again.”

Since then, she hasn’t looked back.

Over the past three years, Dzimati has amassed 23 medals from Methodist Schools Sports Association (MESSA) and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education competitions, 18 of them gold.

Now, she’s preparing for her biggest test yet: her first national championship outside of school-based circuits, set for next month.

“I’m excited and focused,” she says. “This is my chance.”

To prepare, Dzimati has taken an unconventional path, training with male athletes, who push her beyond her limits.

“They do 8 000 metres or more, and that makes my 5 000-metre races feel easier,” she says. “It’s tough, but it builds my strength.”

This time around, her mindset is different. What was once fun is now a career path in the making.

Behind her success lies a strict daily routine. As a Form Three student, Dzimati balances academics, household duties, and training with impressive discipline.

“I go to school like every other student. I use the afternoon study period for training,” she explains.

“When I get home around 6pm, I do the household chores expected of a girl child. Then I study from 8pm to midnight to catch up.”

It’s a demanding schedule, but Dzimati doesn’t see it as a burden. It’s the price of chasing something greater.