Mapaya down, but not out

Deputy Sports Editor

Since his ill-fated injury at the NCAA National Outdoor Championships, Chengetayi Mapaya has spent most of his time doing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans and seeing doctors and physiotherapists.

It is enough to drive a grown man insane, and it certainly has taken its toll on the Zimbabwe triple-jump champion.

“It’s been pretty overwhelming, going for scans and seeing the doctors almost every day,” said the Texas Christian University (TCU) student.

“However, I have been getting a lot of messages from fans, family and friends, and that has helped. It’s what has kept me going, the love I have been receiving.”

He was one of the country’s Olympic hopefuls until the meet (nationals) a fortnight ago.

The US-based field star pulled his hamstring during the fourth attempt, blowing any hopes he had of defending his title and qualifying for the Olympics.

“I got injured on my fourth attempt, and going into that jump I was on third position.

“I was running down the runway and felt a snap in my hamstring as I was taking off.

“The next thing I remember was being in excruciating pain and barely being able to move.”

The 22-year-old had to be wheel-chaired off the field. It has since been revealed that he has a partial tear in his hamstring.

While he is expected to be out for eight to 10 weeks, Mapaya is already looking at next year’s World Championships.

“I am definitely going to be out for more than eight weeks, and I have already started rehab.

“It’s all about trusting the process right now, as I am in good hands here at TCU.

“I am already off my crutches and should be back to training sometime in August.

“We have already moved the focus away from the Olympics and to the 2022 World Championships. Also, next year will be my final year at school and I want to finish off with a bang.”

He did, however, express regret at missing out on the Olympics.

“My plans going into the nationals were to defend my crown and qualify for the Olympics, but it’s unfortunate that I failed on both accounts.

“This could very well be the worst injury of my career so far, as I have never been carried off a field on a wheelchair or cried that much.

“That being said, this is sport and such injuries can happen to anybody.

“The amount of love and messages I have been receiving has truly helped, as I am no longer sad.

“I am generally a calm and optimistic person and I have already started plotting my next challenge.”