Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TOP Zimbabwe triple jumper Chengetayi Mapaya currently finds himself at crossroads, both in his athletics career and personal life.
Professionally, the lack of financial support continues to stall his progress with the Zimbabwe triple jump champion forced to skip this year’s Africa Senior Championships due to work commitments.
The biennial continental meet is slated for May 12–17, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana.
Mapaya was a surprise omission when the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe announced an otherwise strong team earlier this week.
The team is headlined by sprint kings Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanaishe Charamba.
Fresh from their qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships, the men’s 4×400 metre relay are also part of the travelling party.
The relay team includes Leeford Zuze, Dennis Hove, Thandazani Ndhlovu, Gerren Muwishi (all 400m/4x400m), and Derick Matutu (4x400m mix).
Makarawu and Charamba will hunt for honours in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 200m, 4x100m events respectively.
Methembe Tshuma (200m, 4x100m) and Ngoni Makusha (100m, 4x100m) also made the cut.
The women’s section has Samukeliso Ndebele (100m, 200m), Ashley Miller (400mH, 4x400m mix) and Anesu Nyahuma (400m, 4x400m mix).
There were no participants in the field events for which Mapaya happens to be Zimbabwe’s best at the moment.
The 27-year-old won a silver medal at the 2024 edition of the competition in Cameroon.
“It is unfortunate that I will not be representing Zimbabwe at the Senior African Championships in Ghana,” said Mapaya from his US base.
“Representing Zimbabwe is something that means a lot to me, and I always jump at the opportunity to do so.
“However, due to work commitments, I will not be able travel to Ghana this time around.
“There were a couple logistical issues that prevented me to make the meet, what with me having a full-time job and lacking the stability to take part in every meet.
“So, right now, my main focus has to be on work, ensuring I stay healthy and sharpening my performances,” he said.
Two months ago, Mapaya took part in the World Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland.
He however, found the going tough, fishing last in a 17-man field, off a 16.25m jump.
Andy Díaz (Italy) won the men’s triple jump with a 17.47m leap, while Leyanis Pérez (Cuba) took the women’s title with 14.95m. Both athletes defended their titles, with Pérez securing a world-leading mark.
But Mapaya has refused to let the disappointment in Poland bog him down.
Instead, he has been soul-searching.
“From a personal point of view, Poland was a mixed bag.
“As an athlete, you always want to do well and challenge for a medal and I did not do that right.
“I came 15th from a field of 17, which is technically last and which was very, very disappointing.
“However, every global championship teaches you something and I always make sure that I leave every competition with a lesson or two that will help me improve.
“My biggest takeaway from that meet is the importance of complete preparations, stability and not just raw talent.
“When it comes to stability and support, I have been lacking there, but I refuse to let this tear me down.
“I want to look at it as an experience rather than a disappointment, making sure I come back stronger and better equipped,” he said.
Away from the track and field, Mapaya has managed to attain some modicum of success.
The Texas Christian University graduate recently entered into a partnership with Rank Zimbabwe in which he will be telling his life story in a long line of exercise books.
This initiative is built around impact and visibility,” he said.
“Through my partnership with Rank Zimbabwe, we will be able to place my story and, hopefully, inspire young kids and aspiring athletes through books that are used daily in classrooms across the country.
“These books are part of students’ everyday learning, so the exposure isn’t just a once off.
“Across a term, this amounts to hundreds of thousands, potentially millions of impressions as students engage with them daily.
“The bigger goal is to make the message visible to every young Zimbabwean — not just in sport, but in life.
“It’s about showing that where you start doesn’t define how far you can go, no matter your path.
“I’m using my journey — both the wins and the setbacks — to show that it’s not a straight path, but it’s possible.
“I am trying to spread a message of resilience, belief and consistency,” he said.
