Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHENGETAYI MAPAYA finds himself on the cusp of qualifying for the World Indoor Championships slated for Poland next month.
The 21st edition of the World Athletics Indoor Championships is pencilled in for March 20-22 at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Toruń in Poland.
It will be the second time the country has held the event after the 2014 edition in Sopot and qualification is expected to close at the end of this month.
The qualification standard for the triple jump event has been set at 16.90 metres but Mapaya looks well on his way to qualifying, albeit through his ranking.
The Zimbabwe triple jump started off his indoor season on a high as his 16.85m leap at the Oklahoma University Classic set a new indoor world lead.
It also propelled him to the number one ranking, which places him one step closer to qualifying for Poland.
Apart from those that make the qualification grade, the top 16 jumpers in the world will also be invited to the World Athletics Championships.
“It feels amazing, jumping the world lead mark, and I consider it a blessing that it has helped me qualify for the World Indoors Champs,” he said.
“Qualification is pretty much in the bag as I am currently ranked number one, and the deadline is the end of this month.
“I don’t see any 16 jumpers making any late surge between now and the end of the month.
“I narrowly missed that qualification standard at my last meet, and I have already started perfecting my jumps in preparation for Poland,” he said.
Mapaya is currently going at it alone as the lack of sponsorship has forced him to balance his craft and securing a full-time coach.
His failure to employ a full-time coach has forced him to virtually do everything alone.
Still, he has refused to let those struggles pull him down and, instead, hopes to use them as inspiration for upcoming athletes.
“Despite the struggles, I still consider myself very blessed,’’ he said.
“I am blessed to be back on the track doing what I love and coming off a two-year injury lay-off. I got injured back in 2022 and only came back in 2024.
“Now, I have pretty much qualified for the World Indoor Championships, doing everything by myself as I don’t have a full-time coach.
“I also have to balance jumping with a full-time job, which takes up like 12 hours of my day.
“So, it’s plenty of early mornings and late nights, but I hope to do well and inspire other athletes and jumpers that it can be done,” he said.
Mapaya finished seventh at last year’s World Indoor Athletics Championships and believes this season offers a stronger medal opportunity.
“I am really eyeing a medal this year.
“After last year’s finish, it was important to start strongly.
“Right now, I am working on my final phase and will spend the remaining time perfecting my jumps so as to do well and represent my country with pride,” he said.
Mapaya is no stranger to overcoming adversity as his career has been dogged by persistent ill-timed injuries.
He tore his hamstring during the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships only to come back the following year and claim his second title.
Mapaya has delivered notable results, including silver at the African Senior Championships and being a two-time NCAA Champion.
The 16.85m jump is his season’s best so far but remains far off his personal best of 17.26m set four years ago.
“I can reach greater heights with more support,” he said.
“Athletes need consistent competition exposure and backing.
“When that comes, the results will show,” he said.
He however, had a forgettable outing at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
