Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
LIBERTY MZONDO once had the speed, but not the support to take his athletics career as far as he wanted.
When he watched his son, Ropafadzo, sprint at an invitational competition at Lomagundi College in 2020, he recognised something familiar.
“I saw him sprinting. That’s when I discovered that this young man carries my DNA. I was also a sprinter during my time,” said Liberty.
He decided his son would receive the opportunity he never had.
“I was a super sprinter. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go far because of my background. My parents couldn’t support me the way I am supporting my son right now.
“So, when I realised that my son was talented, I said to myself, ‘Let me put all the resources that I have towards him so that he will achieve what I desired to achieve.’”
Liberty engaged coach Njere Shumba to work with Ropafadzo, but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the start of their partnership.
Three years into formal training, the 17-year-old has lowered his 400m time from about 53 seconds to 46.51, reached the semi-finals at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Oregon, the United States, and helped Zimbabwe reach the 4x400m relay final.
His 46.51-second run, a national Under-18 record, came in the 400m heats in Oregon, where he finished third to advance to the semi-finals.
He placed sixth in his semi-final heat in 47.11 seconds.
“Competing in Oregon was one of the biggest achievements of my three-year career so far,” said Ropafadzo.
“I think we did well as a 4x400m relay team. As an individual, I pushed myself to the limit and did quite well.
“I honestly expected to run a 46, but I wasn’t expecting to run 46.5. In my head, I thought I would run 46.8 or something around there.
“But this was all thanks to the Lord Almighty because I wouldn’t have done it on my own.”
Ropafadzo, who competes in the 200m and 400m, qualified for the global junior meet after running a personal best of 47.02 seconds in February, beating the qualification standard of 47.40.
He had started the season running 48 seconds before lowering his personal best twice.
“Being able to shave so much off my personal best this year shows that I am growing and on the right track,” he said.
Together with his teammates, Ropafadzo also set a national Under-20 record in the 4x400m relay and helped Zimbabwe reach the final for the first time at the World Under-20 Championships.
In his early competitions, he was often placed in races against older athletes and had to learn to live with defeat.
“It was harder because the age groups were usually mixed,” he said.
“I had to face countless defeats every year, running against people who were older than me.”
His father’s belief and his own determination kept him going.
Liberty nicknamed him “Mushurugwi” because of that determination.
“I got into athletics because of my dad,” said Ropafadzo.
“After an invitational competition at Lomagundi College, he decided that I needed to start training because he had seen some potential in me.
“Many people know me as Mushurugwi, a nickname given to me by my dad.”
His first major international breakthrough came in 2025 when he won gold with Zimbabwe’s 4x400m relay team at the African union Sports Council Region Five Games.
He later reached the Under-18 finals of both the 200m and 400m at the Confederation of African Athletics Under-18 and Under-20 Championships in Nigeria.
He also represented Zimbabwe at the African Youth Games in Angola and has competed at the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa Games.
At 17, Ropafadzo remains eligible for the next World Under-20 Championships in 2028.
Before then, he wants to challenge for a medal at next year’s African Junior Championships and begin pushing for a place in Zimbabwe’s senior relay team.
“The target is to qualify for the next World Under-20 Championships because I will still be eligible,” he said.
“I have also set myself the target of winning a medal at the African Junior Championships next year, at least silver or bronze, and if the Lord sees it fit, gold.
“Then, in 2028, I will try my best to qualify for the senior relay team or in my individual event.”
Shumba believes those targets are within reach if the teenager continues working without carrying the burden of expectation.
“He is a disciplined and humble young man,” said Shumba.
“To me, the path ahead of him is quite bright, given his age. I believe he may post better times than 46.51 next year without putting too much pressure on him.
“That should be achievable.”
For Liberty, every improvement takes his son closer to the stage he could never reach.
“Seeing him compete at the World Under-20 Championships made me a very proud father,” he said.
“My dream is to see him compete at the Olympic Games.”
