adminSamuel Kadungure Senior Sports Reporter
THREE athletes from high schools in Manicaland have been included in Team Zimbabwe that will compete in the IAAF World Youth Championship competitions set for Colombia in July.This year’s event will roll into life from July 15-19.
The IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics is a global athletic event comprising track and field events for competitors who are below 17. The event, which is organised by the International Association of Athletes Federations (IAAF), is held biennially, having been inaugurated in 1999.
Team Zimbabwe — which is made up of 10 athletes — will travel under the guidance of national youth coach, Brian Nhubu and team manager, Aneas Nhoro.
“The three athletes from Manicaland who will be part of the travelling team are Leon Tafirenyika, Shingirai Hlanguyo and Vimbayi Maisvoreva. The three are from Makoni,” said Nhubu.
Tafirenyika is from St Benedict’s High in Makoni.
Tarirenyika, whose performance has been consistently improving since the Nash district and provincial competitions held in February at Vengere High will compete in the 400 metres category.
Tafirenyika earned the slot following an impressive performance at the Second Africa Youth Championship competitions held in Mauritius in April 2015.
His qualification time was 48.58 seconds. Hlanguyo will be competing in the 100m category.
Hlanguyo reconfirmed his qualification for Colombia after landing a bronze medal at the same Second Africa Youth Championship last month.
The Nyazura-born sprinter crossed the finishing line in 10.51secs.
The Mauritius performance was an icing on the cake as the athlete had already qualified for Colombia in December 2014, following a splendid performance during the Region Five competitions, where he crossed the line in 10.75.
Medium distance runner, Maisvoreva of Dope High School also in Makoni will also be part of the travelling squad.
Vimbai did the nation proud when she scooped gold during the COSSASA competitions in Lesotho.
She crossed the 800m line 2.12.44secs to qualify for Colombia.
Other athletes who complete the list of Team Zimbabwe include Lovejoy Mapfumo of Harare (400m); Nomatter Kapfudzaruwa (Rushinga) (400m); Matienga Tinotenda (Harare) (200m), Abraham Mapiravana (Harare) (200m); Mapaya Chengetai (Harare) (triple jump); Calton Moyo (Bulawayo) (400m) and Enlitha Ncube (Bindura University Academy) (800m).
“We have a formidable team made up of success hungry athletes. All these athletes have beaten qualification time in their respective categories and our focus will be on mentoring and ensuring that they beat their respective records.
“We are optimistic and there are bright prospects that athletes like Hlanguyo and Maisvoreva will bring medals home,” said Nhubu.
At least 1 424 athletes, drawn from 156 countries are set to compete at the IAAF World Youth Championships, Cali 2015, making it the biggest international athletics event to be held in South America.
The last IAAF track and field championships to be held in South America was the 2000 IAAF World Junior Championships, where 1122 athletes from 151 countries competed.
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