Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
GODWIN Katakura is relishing the prospect of achieving more after setting a national record at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon in the Netherlands on Sunday.
Katakura finished 12th in a time of two hours, six minutes and 23 seconds, breaking the previous national record of 2:06:48 and improving his personal best of 2:08:47.
The 26-year-old admitted that the performance exceeded his expectations, having struggled with injuries that disrupted his preparations for the race.
“I was surprised because it is something I didn’t expect I could achieve today (Sunday), because I had not completed all my sessions during training due to injuries I picked up back then.
“So, I am impressed.
“The results are a reflection of the work we are doing. An indication that we are in the right direction in terms of what we are working on and what we are hoping to achieve, because if I can go
for a race and get a personal best and national record, it’s something pleasing,” said Katakura.
His coach, Alden Muhoni, had at one point considered adjusting his training programme and finding a race later in the year to allow the athlete more time to recover fully.
However, the Cadence Athletics Club runner insisted on competing in Sunday’s marathon, a decision that paid dividends as he produced the best performance of his career.
Katakura believes he can still secure automatic qualification for next year’s World Athletics Championships after missing the qualifying standard by just 23 seconds.
The required qualifying time is two hours and six minutes.
“Maybe next year or so we will be looking for another personal best, and maybe I will qualify for the
World Championships,” said Katakura.
“I am happy with the results because I wasn’t expecting it. I was hoping for a personal best, but then
I also got a national record.
“These are good results, so I am excited.”
With the marathon qualification window closing on May 2, 2027, Muhoni is considering another
race early next year to give his athlete an opportunity to achieve the qualifying standard.
“By ranking, I am certain he is already up for the World Championships. His current time of 2:06:23, although 23 seconds off the championship qualifying time of 2:06, ranks him up for the World Championships.
“In my last interview, I mentioned that without injury, Godwin’s times are way ahead of the championship qualification times. Even though the ranking is favourable for him, I plan to rest him a bit and see if he can be fit enough to compete again before the championship cut-off date. I believe running a sub-two-hour-six-minute marathon is possible for him without any injury nagging him.
“I will sit with him and see what’s best for him and the nation at large as soon as he recovers,” said Muhoni.
National long- and middle-distance head coach Benson Chauke was equally impressed with Katakura’s performance, expressing confidence that the young athlete would continue to improve.
“He has done well.
“He has shown that with hard work, you reap the results, and congratulations to his coach, Mr
Muhoni. This was a job well done.
“Congratulations on being now the national number one marathon runner in Zimbabwe at such a young age.
“And I am certain that more is coming out of that young man. He has worked well, and the consistency and progression stand way above everyone else,” said Chauke.
