Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIVING up has never been an option for upcoming judoka Makanaka Nherera.
Now, the never-say-die spirit is beginning to pay off as she gets to represent the country at major competitions.
At the age of 17 years, Nherera is among the 2 700 young athletes converging in Senegal for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
It is something that she has always hoped for, and it turned into a reality this year when she was named one of the 12 members for Team Zimbabwe.
She describes herself as a vibrant young girl who never gives up.
“When I get onto the mat, if I lose, of course I feel defeated at that point. But we go back to the drawing board, we look at what I did wrong, we try again. We fix those mistakes.
“But we never give up,” said Nherera.
“I can also say that Makanaka Nherera is a fearless person. Judo is a fighting sport; I could get hurt. But if you are willing to do it, it shows that you are fearless.”
This is what has kept her going, and she is going to be part of history as Africa hosts the Dakar 2026 YOG, the first Olympic sporting event to be staged on African soil.
For many of the young athletes from different parts of the world including Nherera, this will remain a special and memorable moment.
“The main goal is to make the country proud… Go out there and do my best. But I would really love to come back with a medal, so that I can open more doors for not just me, but for my team as well,” Nherera said.
Nherera’s first experience with judo was in 2022 when it was introduced at her school, Milestone College in Rusape.
She went for her first tournament, a national ranking event at Girls High School in Harare, and got a medal.
The 17-year-old fell in love with the sport and never looked back.
“It was scary when I went there, considering that it was my first fight against other people.
“But after I came back with a medal, it was like this adrenaline rush was now in me to continue doing judo. To continue pushing forward with it.
“After I got the medal, I was like, yeah, this is my sport.
“I love the way it makes me feel.”
From there, she went on to compete at the South African Schools Championships, and she got her first medal at the event this year.
“My first medal was this year. So, it was a really good experience, considering that I have been going to the SA Games for two years with no medal.
“So, when I went to this one and I got a medal, I was like, I see change and I see potential in myself.”
Although making Team Zimbabwe came as a surprise, she already believed that she can actually go far in the future.
“Last year I took a break from judo because of my exams. So, this year when I was told in April that I was going to go to the Olympics, I didn’t believe it at all. I was like, ah, me? And yeah, that’s what happened,” said Nherera.
Nherera has been working with coach Lazarus Arufandika for her participation at the Youth Olympics.
She attended a week-long training camp in Zambia that concluded with participation at the Japanese Ambassador’s Cup in the neighbouring country. And she got a silver medal in the cadets’ female +70kg.
As the Games get underway, Arufandika said; “I believe she is ready.
“I, as a coach, have done my very best to get her mentally and physically prepared for this tour.
“My expectation is for her to do her very best. To showcase her very best capability at these games.
“She is a very jovial athlete, and a fighter.”
