Midlands duo destined for greatness

Tinashe Kusema

ELIZABETH Msipa and Wadiwanashe Musonza appear to be a bundle of nerves as the Midlands duo awaits that all-important call from Puma.

These kids have been on a tear on the track, and recently travelled to South Africa for trials at the Puma School of Speed.

“They are two of the most promising short distance runners in the country; and so when the call to travel to South Africa came, we immediately jumped on it,” said Midlands Christian College Sportsmaster, Leonid Chimbuya.

“There would be scouts, the potential to get University bursaries, and not to forget the amount of exposure they would get simply by taking part,” he said.

To their credit, the two short distance runners did not disappoint, coming back home with three medals. Msipa walked away with a bronze medal in the Under-15 girls 200-meter race, clocking in a time of 25.76 seconds, and a silver medal in the 100-meter race.

Musonza returned home with a silver in the 400-meter race, and rave reviews from scouts who took a keen interest in him and his compatriot Msipa.

“The puma school of speed is one of the biggest athletics tournaments on the continents, and assembles the very best Africa has to offer,” said Chimbuya.

“Some scouts were really impressed by Wadiwa and Elizabeth, so much so that they followed their progress during our stay.

“We got promises of more invites for the series, but nothing concrete was signed,” said the 32-year-old.

But it is the anxiety of it all, that has left these two runners nervous. For Msipa, the 15-year-old hopes the call will indeed open up new doors for her.

“No one from Puma has contacted me, just yet, but I am not giving up hope,” said the 100 and 200-meter specialist.

“The sponsorship would open doors for me, some of which could actually lead to a full time athletics career. We are currently preparing for next month’s Africa Junior Championship in Ivory Coast; and that is the main focus now. But I hope they do call,” she said.

Her compatriot, Musonza, was a bit more cavalier about the call, simply noting; “I am not aware of any call, but if it does come it would be a good opportunity.”

The two approach their crafts differently, with Musonza being the more naturally gifted athlete. Athletics is not even his first love, but something he is good at and wouldn’t mind pursuing.

“I started running five years ago, in junior school, and I have stopped and resumed it once or twice since,” said Musonza.

“It really isn’t my first choice, and remember how I used to get really down when I lost or came in last. My real passion is rugby, and hope to do the two sports,” he said.

Much like his running mate, Msipa the 17-year-old got his big break at last year’s JM Busha track meet. There, he made good times and caught the eye of some local scouts and that of junior national team coach Briad Nhubu. Nhubu is the one who then orchestrated their trip to South Africa.

As for Msipa, athletics runs deep in her core.

“I’ve tried other sports, like hockey, but it is in athletics that I do well and love,” she said

“I have won a couple of inter-house, zonal, district and provincial races, but South remains my crowning moment.

“There, I got to see and meet new people and share my stories with them,” she said.