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Sports Reporter
MARATHON runner Isaac Mpofu has set his eyes on stepping up his build-up for Paris 2024 Olympic Games as the countdown to the multi-sport event continues.
The Games are scheduled for July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Mpofu qualified for the Games last year in December when posting a time of 2hours 6 minutes 48 seconds at the Valencia Marathon.
The qualifying time for men’s marathon is 2hours 8minutes 10seconds.
This year he competed at the Boston Marathon in April and crossed the finish line in 2hours 14minutes 8seconds to finish on position 19. He then represented the country at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He finished on position 16, in 2hours 11minutes 33 seconds.
Mpofu concluded the season with the Valencia Marathon held on December 3, and he clocked 2hours 7minutes 39seconds.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, the 35-year-old said 2023 has been challenging due to an injury that affected his performance.
“The year 2023 was a bit challenging as I started-off with an injury but improved with time and I managed to continue and went on to run under 2:10 again this December, which shows I had improved a little bit. But 2023 was hectic for me. I had back pain but now I am (feeling) better although I am not yet 100 percent there.
“Coming back from an injury, that was huge for me. It’s hard to come back from an injury. There are many things you must do, and emotionally and mentally you will be disturbed. So I struggled a bit but it went on to be a good lesson.”
Mpofu, who managed position 10 at the World Championships last year, had hoped to improve his performance at this year’s edition in Budapest, Hungary.
“2023 my target was to do better at the World Championships that happened in Hungary. But unfortunately I wasn’t fit enough to do the job, so I had to just go there and participate.
“So after that I told myself that I must try and run again under 2:10, so that I can gain my confidence back that’s what I did in Valencia,” said Mpofu.
He is looking at stepping up his preparations for next year’s Olympic Games.
“On the Olympics’ preparations, for next year, I have certain targets and plans in place…I will be helped by ZOC (Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, also by NAAZ (National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe) on this one.
“So I think there will be a camp, which will be scheduled in due course…I think I will go to the Olympics from that camp. So I can say I will be in Harare for those preparations and the camp will be fully sponsored by ZOC.
“My target for the Olympic Games, it’s a bit challenging but if I at least go and get a better time or be in top 10 or manage to obtain a podium finish that will be great. However, that will depend on the preparations and the body on the race day. But I will try my best to try and achieve one of the goals that I have mentioned,” said Mpofu.
Mpofu said the improvement he has made since his first World Championships appearance in 2019, in Doha, when he completed the marathon in 2hours 29minutes 24seconds, has boosted his confidence.
“Running some of the best times, to be honest has boosted my confidence a lot. I now have gained confidence that I can run like those Kenyans and Ethiopians, so that’s the key. I have gained a lot of experience too by running with them in different races, so that’s what I can say,” Mpofu said.
Mpofu is the current national record holder for marathon with a time of 2hours 6minutes 48seconds he posted at the Valencia Marathon in Spain last year in December.
Online Reporter