Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TEAM Zimbabwe coach Aaron Whyte has saluted the men’s 4x400m team for the outstanding performance at the just-ended World Athletics Under-20 Championships in the United States.
The quartet of Nenyasha Chihora, Emmanuel Uriga, Gift Khumalo and Ropafadzo Mzondo reached the men’s 4x400m relay, and placed eighth in 3 minutes 12.14 seconds.
The team dubbed “the dream team” had written its own piece of history on Saturday night when they earned the ticket to the final after finishing third in their heat in a national Under-20 record time of 3 minutes 08.56 seconds.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub after the final, Whyte lauded the team for a strong showing at the global stage.
“Well, it was a tough day in the office for the boys but I salute them; they fought, they gave their all as you may have noticed, we are the only team that didn’t recycle athletes.
“So, the boys were pretty tired, legs were heavy, but we salute them. They did so well, they came here, nobody expected them to do what they did especially yesterday (Saturday).
“But breaking the national record, getting into the finals and placing eighth in the world, which means we are now ranked eighth in the world, this is brilliant,” said Whyte.
“We are super excited.
“Our heads are not down at all, our tails are not down at all. We are super proud of the boys.
“They did well. They lived up to expectation though we would have loved them to place better and run a better time.
“But yeah, legs were really tired. Overall, I think we came, we saw, we conquered. Lessons learned.”
Zimbabwe were up against the world’s powerhouses in a race that was won by the United States in a world record of 3 minutes 01.39 seconds.
They were followed by South Africa with a time of 3 minutes 02.76 seconds, and France were third in 3 minutes 04.80 seconds.
Australia were fourth in 3 minutes 04.84 seconds while Jamaica placed fifth in 3 minutes 05.71 seconds.
Botswana and Poland finished sixth and seventh in 3 minutes 05.80 seconds and 3 minutes 08.14 seconds respectively.
Germany were ninth in 3 minutes 12.63 seconds.
Mzondo also had an encouraging showing in his individual event, the men’s 400m, as he set a new personal best and national Under-18 record after he clocked 46.51 seconds when placing third in the heats.
The previous youth record was 47.02 seconds he set early this year in South Africa.
He bowed out in the semi-final after placing sixth in 47.11 seconds, before returning to the track for the 4x400m relay.
Zimbabwe also fielded the mixed 4x400m relay team that bowed out in round one after managing a sixth-place finish in their heats in 3 minutes 34.67 seconds.
The team consisting of Chihora, Nataly Shoko, Emmanuel Uriga and Anesu Nyahuma had hoped to improve the national record of 3 minutes 31.58 seconds they set at the Southern African Confederation of Athletics (SACA) Championships in June.
Also representing the country at the world junior meet, was high jumper Tatenda Chindowa.
He also made an early exit, in the qualification round after finishing 15th overall with a 2.10m jump.
The automatic qualifying mark to the final was 2.21m or at least the best 12.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara hailed the junior team’s exploits at the global stage.
And thanked sponsors, parents and other stakeholders that came on board to make the trip to Oregon a reality.
“I want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this journey possible.
“To our sponsors, our partners and every well-wisher who responded when we called for assistance, we say thank you.
“You did not simply finance a trip. You invested in Zimbabwean talent and gave these young people an opportunity to show the world what our country can produce,” said Tagara.
Some of the sponsors that came on board include Coral Soft, who were the main sponsors, InnBucks and Top Flight Travel.
