adminLovemore Kadzura
SPRINTER Nyasha Mutsetse will this weekend be facing the last hurdle in his quest to qualify for Rio Olympics.
The 19-year-old Rusape based runner will be leaving the country today (Friday) via South Africa to participate in the qualifying race in Mauritius.
For Mutsetse to qualify, he needs to meet the qualifying time for 2016 Rio Olympics which is pegged at 1,46min for 800 metres. He has a realistic chance of making it because his personal best is 1,49min.
The former Tsanzaguru High School pupil who has conquered schools, national and regional competitions as a junior athlete is now competing in the seniors’ categories.
Mutsetse who has been to Ukraine, Botswana, South Africa and Ethiopia representing the country in junior championship is training under the watchful eye of his veteran coach, Braid Nhubu and is confident that he will make it on Sunday.
“It is a dream come true to be part of athletes who will be competing for a place at the Olympics. It is every athlete’s dream to compete at such prestigious events and I hope I will make it.
“I have been training hard for this race and I am fit and raring to go. The qualifying time is very difficult to attain, but my personal best is within that reach, so I just need to push a little bit. Stage fright will not affect me because I have participated in big competitions as a very small boy and posted good results.
“I am also working with my long time coach Nhubu, who discovered my talent. So he knows how to train and mould me to win races,” said Mutsetse.
Nhubu said he had covered every aspect that helps Mutsetse to qualify for Rio 2016, saying he is doing well in training.
“I expect him to improve his performance because we have been in intensive training for a while. We have been working on his speed endurance and specific speed. We would like to thank National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe for funding Mutsetse’s trip to the competitions,” said Nhubu.
Online Reporter