Jongwe steps up preps for local events

TOP Zimbabwe wheelchair racer, Stellah Jongwe, says she is leaving no stone unturned in her preparation for the Tanganda Half Marathon on June 30 and the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon on July 7. Jongwe is the defending champion in both events in the 21,1km wheelchair category.

“I am going to be taking part in both events. My preparations have gone well. I have been having some technical challenges with my wheelchair, but l am working on that and should be ready for the two events. With the work that I’ve put in, I’m confident that l will produce impressive performances,” said Jongwe.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2020, the 23-year-old has dominated the wheelchair racing category in Zimbabwe, clinching top honours in prominent local events such as the CBZ, Tanganda and Victoria Falls Econet wheelchair half marathons. Jongwe won the PPC Half Marathon this year in a time of one hour 26 minutes and 58 seconds.

In second place was Thandiwe Ndlovu, who clocked one hour 35 minutes and 55 seconds. For her efforts, she received US$1 500 in prize money.
Born with phocomelia, Jongwe has defied misconceptions about disability to make a name for herself in the sport.

She wrote her first sporting success story in 2020 by scooping gold at the Outeniqua Chair Challenge held in South Africa. She also won her first CBZ half marathon in the same year. She was a bronze medallist at the African Parabadminton Championships held in Uganda in 2019.Last year, she won gold at the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in South Africa. —@innocentskizoe