admin
Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
ONE of Zimbabwe’s top sprinters Gabriel Mvumvure has set his sights on taking part at this year’s African Athletics Championship as part of his preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Mvumvure missed the 2012 Olympic Games in London because of a hamstring injury but the 100m and 200m specialist is now hopeful of representing Zimbabwe at what could be his last Games.
The Florida-based athlete told The Herald he would want to win a medal at the African championships in Marrakech, Morocco, in September before moving to the World Championships in Beijing, China, in 2015. A former Churchill schoolboy, Mvumvure is hoping to enter his first race meeting at an indoor championship in the United States this weekend. “Rio stays on my mind and I want to be the best athlete in the world by the time the Games come around, God willing.
“However, before going to Rio 2016, there would be a World Championship in 2015 and it will be held in Beijing, China.
“We also have the African Championships this year and I would really want to win. I will be doing the 100m and 200m and, hopefully, the 4x400m if we put a team together,” said Mvumvure.
At the last IAAF world championship in Moscow, Russia, Mvumvure finished sixth in his semi-final heat after stopping the clock in 10.21s.
United States’ Justin Gatlin proceeded to the final after winning the heat in 9.94s.
“At the last World Championship, I was knocked out in the semi-finals so I am working on making it to the finals this time. Once you are in the final, it’s anyone’s race to win,” said Mvumvure.
A former African junior champion, Mvumvure is hoping to start his 2014 with an indoor meet this weekend
“My training has been progressive and coming together well. I haven’t competed yet (in 2014) but I am supposed to (compete) either this week or next week.
“I’m doing indoors, so I will be doing the 60m and the target is world indoor championships set for March 7-9 in Poland. But my target this season is to better my times from last season, stay healthy and be consistent every time I race,” Mvumvure said.
Online Reporter