Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR Ropafadzo Mzondo, the World Athletics Under-20 Championships is a learning curve and he is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the top junior athletes from across the globe.
The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe named a nine-member team for the upcoming championships from August 5 to 9 in Eugene, Oregon, in the United States.
Mzondo is part of the team.
He has been to the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, Confederation of African Athletics Under-18/Under-20 Championships and the African Youth Games.
The World Under-20 Championships is another milestone for him as he hopes to make a mark in athletics.
“The journey has been wonderful. I think, so far, I have made a name for myself in the sporting area in Zimbabwe.
“I think this past year has been my biggest year since I started athletics and I hope to continue pushing myself so that I can one day become one of those big names, like the (Letsile) Tebogos and the Noah Lyles,” said Mzondo.
The 17-year-old qualified for the men’s 400m early this year when clocking 47.04 seconds in South Africa.
The qualifying time is 47.40 seconds.
“For the 400m I have been training with my coach, Aaron Whyte, and I think preparations have been thorough enough that we can push ourselves and show them what we have got here in Zimbabwe.
“I am expecting to at least reach the finals since I am still an Under-18, and I see a medal in the future but for now I am expecting to reach the finals, at least.”
Mzondo is also a hopeful for one of the relay events. Zimbabwe are set to field two relay teams – in the men’s 4x400m and 4x400m mixed events.
“I think the World Under-20s they provide us with one of the biggest platforms to learn from our peers, for the 400m especially, because there are people out there who are running times which the seniors are also running.
“So, it will give us the chance to learn from those guys and to also maybe gain some confidence in performing with the seniors also,” Mzondo said.
The other members of the team are Nataly Shoko, Anesu Nyahuma, Tatenda Chindowa, Nenyasha Chihora, Malachi Mafunga, Gift Khumalo, Emmanuel Uriga and Alvin Simon.
Most of the team members are up for the relays while Chindowa will compete in high jump.
Shoko is one of the two female athletes that will be part of the mixed relay team. She will be joined by Nyahuma.
“I feel really blessed and priviledged that I have been chosen to represent the country.
“I am hoping to make my mark and help the team do its absolute best on the world stage, to show the world that Zimbabwe is here and we are here to compete,” Shoko said.
With two relay teams forming part of the team, coach Aaron Whyte on Tuesday brought in the men’s 4x400m relay team captain Gerren Muwishi for one of their sessions at the University of Zimbabwe.
The senior men’s 4x400m relay team placed fifth at the World Relays and won gold at the African Senior Championships in May.
Muwishi said the session was more about team bonding.
“It is very important because, like I said the last time, for a relay, it’s not only about the speed. It’s about how the team gels together as a unit.
“That then helps them to depend on each other when it comes to race day and on race day, they obviously trust each other because they have been together, they know each other and they have been doing things together,” said Muwishi.
