adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FOR long distance runner Rutendo Nyahora, competing at the Olympic Games is a dream come true. Even a twisted ankle, just two weeks before the qualifying marathon in Vienna, Austria, could not stop this determined woman from turning her dream into a reality.
“I was so excited when I qualified. When I finished the race I could not believe it. It was an emotional moment for me, I even shed tears because it was difficult.
“I was alone, like when I got to the finish line some of the athletes had their coaches and managers but I was alone,” Nyahora said.
Nyahora, who will be making her debut appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the Olympics from August 5 to 21 said she took the bold decision to go for a marathon last year.
“People know me from the Spar Ladies races. But when I was training I always told myself that I want to qualify for the Olympics; that was my wish. It was like a joke but I started pushing and motivating myself. And here I am.
“I was running half marathons before but I always told myself that the first marathon I was going to run I would want to qualify for the Olympics. Last year I knew I wanted to run my first marathon.
“And when I got to the starting line I was just thinking that I must qualify for the Olympics. I didn’t put too much pressure on myself. I was 100 percent sure that I was going to run a good time,” said Nyahora.
The seasoned long-distance runner says she is grateful to fellow athletes who kept encouraging her when she was injured.
“I did not have a coach, I was training alone so I did not know if what I was doing was correct or not. But I want to thank other athletes like Cephas Pasipamire for being there for me, he was giving me advise and encouraging me till I went for the race.
“Faith Nyasango and Munyaradzi Jari, they were all supportive.
“I didn’t want jump into a group of people because I wanted to listen to my body and see how strong I was.
“I am also grateful to Feluna Vhumba and Tavapo Bhiri, they are my friends and they stood with me throughout my journey to qualification.
“My focus now is to make it into the top 20 in Rio,” said Nyahora.
Born in a family of four and being the only girl, Nyahora says it was not always rosy from the start as her parents had other thoughts for their little princess. “I started running while I was still at school, at Budiriro 2 Primary and we were just running for fun. I just loved running, even when I was at home if my mother called sometimes I would run away, you know some of the things we do when we are kids.
“Then I went to Glenview 2, that’s where my talent started growing. In 2003, James Gwasira, who is an athlete, came to our school to work with the athletics team.
“He is the one who identified my talent. It was not like I was the best of the athletes but he saw the talent in me. He encouraged me.
“He then introduced me to Cephas Matafi, who was my first coach. We started training with Chiedza Chokore, Lizzie Chokore and Michael Ngaaseke among others.
“In 2005, I set for my ‘O’ Level exams and in 2006 Chiedza advised me to go to South Africa; that was now February in 2006. That’s when I started running in South Africa, I was a junior then and it was not easy.
“I joined Harmony Club in South Africa from 2006 to 2008 then I moved to Mr Price because of some challenges concerning foreigners at Harmony.
“However, they changed to Nedbank Running Club later on and I rejoined in 2009 after giving birth to my daughter. So besides being a professional athlete I am a proud mother of seven-year-old Britney Masunda.
“The club has been good to me and for me to be where I am they have played a big role. I want to thank the club manager, Nick Bester, he played a big role in my career and my qualification to Rio,” said Nyahora.
Nyahora’s mother, Molly, said she used to fight with her daughter over her interest in athletics but now appreciates the route she took.
“It’s true I used to beat her. I wanted her to focus on her school work and I never thought anything good would come out of this. So sometimes during the weekends she would sneak out pretending to be going to school while she was going for athletics.
“I am a Salvation Army church member, so it got a point where she approached my captain from church to talk to me on her behalf because that is what she wanted. So our captain spoke to me and I said okay, it’s her life she will do what she wants.
“Everyone in this family did not understand her. As parents sometimes we have our own expectations and plans for our children but God has his own way of doing things. We are gifted in different ways.
“I pray every day for my daughter’s success and for God’s guidance in her path. When she go for her races I pray for her health and success. So I am grateful to the Lord,” said the soft spoken proud mother.
Her father Paidon, also weighed in to say he is a proud father.
“I feel great because when one represents their country, carrying the nation’s banner it’s something to be proud of.
“I feel great not only because it’s Rutendo but that we have a team that will be representing our country.”
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