Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga in ABEOKUTA, Nigeria
HE once preferred naps to sprints. Now, he is standing tall on the podium with two gold medals around his neck.
This is the story of 17-year-old Trey Chimunya, Zimbabwe’s latest sprint sensation, whose journey from a self-confessed “lazy sleeper” to African junior champion is as unexpected as it is inspiring.
Chimunya stunned the athletics world last month when he clinched double gold in the 100m and 200m at the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia.
The Games, which bring together rising stars from 10 Southern African countries, have become a launchpad for future champions, and Chimunya made the most of his shot.
But his journey began far from the big stage.
It started at Prince Edward School about four years ago with a random decision to challenge the school’s fastest Under -15 sprinter.
“I always liked spending time alone, and mostly sleeping. Even now, I still love my sleep,” Chimunya laughs.
“But one day, I just got this feeling that pushed me to the sports field to challenge the best Under-15 in the 100m. At first, the coaches didn’t take me seriously. They said I was wasting their time.
“They eventually let me run, just to get rid of me. I ended up winning with a much bigger gap than they expected. That’s when I understood that nothing impressive happens in sleep mode.”
One of those coaches was McGregor Manuhwa, who was based at Prince Edward at the time.
“He was always isolated, quiet and known for one thing — sleeping,” recalls Manuhwa.
“After school, he’d go straight to the hostel and sleep until dinner. But that day, he walked up to me during a sprint session and said, ‘Coach, I think I can challenge your fastest Under-15 boy.’
“I thought he was joking, I was busy, but he insisted. So, I got my top sprinter and let them race. Trey shocked us all. He left our best boy behind. From that day, we knew he had something special.”
Since then, Chimunya has taken his training seriously, but it has not been a smooth ride. Leading up to the Region 5 Games, he was recovering from a serious injury that had kept him sidelined for six months.
“This meant a lot to me,” he says.
“I wasn’t expecting such a great performance after the injury. But I felt myself returning to form and gaining strength again. It gave me confidence heading into the African Junior Championships here in Nigeria.”
His road to stardom has not always followed the script.
In 2023, he represented Zimbabwe at the CAA African Youth/Junior Championships in Ndola, Zambia, but things did not go as planned.
“I actually lost hope. I even joked about quitting athletics and trying chess instead, because tennis wasn’t working out either,” he says with a grin.
“But over the past two years, I realised nothing impressive happens in sleep mode. Instead of giving up, I doubled down on training with my coach. And in 2025, I made the team for the Region 5 Youth Games.
“I scooped two gold medals. Honestly, it was an easy run. I didn’t feel challenged. I ran 10.45 in the 100m heats and 10.58 in the final. For the 200m, I did 21.66 in the heats and 21.33 in the final.”
The victory did not just earn him medals; it boosted his national profile.
“I’ve been recognised as a promising athlete in Zimbabwe. That means a lot,” he said.
Chimunya has built his life around consistency and hard work.
“Since I started taking running seriously, my day starts at 4.30am. I pray, then do a 15-minute core workout, followed by a track session until 5.30am. I shower, prepare for school, then in the afternoon I’ve got another session at 3pm. I end the day with upper-body training.”
His personal bests stand at 10.45 seconds (100m) and 21.33 seconds (200m), but he says his heart lies in the shorter sprint.
“My favourite event right now is the 100m. I feel more powerful and explosive. But I know I still need to work on my strength and endurance for the 200m.”
What gave Chimunya the confidence to challenge the school’s best sprinter?
“I always had the drive, but I was too lazy to act on it. That day, it just clicked; I felt like the Lord had declared it was time. I didn’t even consider that I might lose.
“Funny enough, my dad really wanted me to play tennis. Every day after school, he’d take me to Harare Sports Club for practice,” he said.
Chimunya went on to win the national junior titles in both the 100m and 200m at the CAA selection meet in Bulawayo, earning his ticket to represent Zimbabwe at the African Under-18 and Under-20 championships.
“I’ve seen a big shift in my performance. I see myself making it to the Olympics one day,” he says. “I want to be remembered among the greatest, winning medals, breaking records and inspiring the next generation.”
He credits his coach, family and principal at Rydings College for their unwavering support and belief in his dream.
Online Reporter