Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHENGETAYI Mapaya was a late arrival at the World Athletics Championships and has largely kept to himself since landing in Tokyo, Japan, Monday night.
For the 26-year-old, this is his third appearance at the prestigious event after having made the grade for the 2019 and 2022 editions in Doha, Qatar and Oregon, US, respectively.
Both performances did not live up to his expectations as Mapaya appeared to be overwhelmed by the occasion as he came up against his idols.
However, that has changed now.
Since arriving in Tokyo, the Zimbabwe triple champion has largely kept to himself, preferring to keep his eye on the task at hand and keep the competitors at arm’s distance.
“I haven’t really had time to mix and mingle,” he said.
“I don’t ask other jumpers for tips or advice, they are my competition.
“I am just focused on the task at hand and follow my coaches’ orders and instructions,” he said
At the World Athletics Championships head into day five, the triple jump event will take centre stage with the qualifiers ahead of Friday’s final.
The gruelling contest will see 36 jumpers divided into two groups all vying for a place in Friday’s finals.
Mapaya has been placed in group two alongside Jordan Scott (Jamaica), Andy Diaz Hernandez (Italy), Pedron Pichardo (Portugal), Hugues Fabrice Zango (Burkina Faso), Can Özupek (Turkey), Salif Mane (USA), Elton Petronilho (Brazil), Ethan Olivier (New Zealand), Gyumin YU (Korea), Amath Faye (Senegal), Sami Bakheey (Saudi Arabia), Kaiwan Culmer (Bahamas), Andy Hechavarria (Cuba), Yaming Zhu (China), Praveen Chithravel (India), Thomas Gogois (France) and Wen Su (China)
The former St George’s College and Texas Christian University (TSU) student goes into the meet with a personal best jump of 17.26 metres and a season best of 17.15m.
Mapaya was uncharacteristically calm, collected and razor focused in the lead up of today’s jump.
He has one goal in mind and that is to make Friday’s finals.
After all, the 26-year-old is seeking redemption after two unflattering performances during his previous appearances.
“I’m ready for the moment, I have dreamt to be in Tokyo since 2017 through trials and tribulations,” he said.
“But, I’m here now. I missed the Tokyo Olympics with a torn hamstring so this is an emotional and sentimental meet for me.
“All the hard work has been done, just fine tuning a few things here and there but we are ready,” he said.
