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Sports Reporter
THE odds of Itai Sango ever representing Zimbabwe, the country of his birth, get slimmer with every passing day, but the 36-year-old Taekwondo expatriate’s has not given up just yet.
“Representing Zimbabwe has always been a dream of mine since day one, after all, this is my country of birth,” he said.
“I hold the Zimbabwean Bird in the highest esteem; nyika yaMbuya Nehanda yakandichengeta, and it would be an honour to represent it.
“However, there are many things one as to consider; and chief amongst them is the fact that as an athlete, it’s always important to use whatever chance or opportunity that comes your way.
“It’s quite unfortunate that over time, the odds of me representing Zimbabwe, have gotten slimmer and slimmer.
“The economic situation in Zimbabwe is not conducive and it doesn’t help much that Mozambique has been good to me.
“I have a house here, a car and a couple of others things, all of which, I was given by the Mozambican government.
“I doubt if I will ever represent Zimbabwe; but deep down in my heart, I would love too,” he said.
Born May 14, 1983, Itai Samuel Sango is originally from Nyanga, but migrated to Mozambique after his dream of becoming a Taekwondo champion failed to materialise in his native land of Zimbabwe.
The 36-year-old then migrated to Mozambique, in 2015, walking roughly 100 kilometers from his rural home Ruwangwe (Nyanga) to Guro district in Mozambique, which signaled the start of his rag-to-riches story.
There the Mozambique federation dangled a comprehensive sponsorship package in his face, which then gave birth to his international career.
The Taekwondo fighter has been on a tear ever since, albeit donning Mozambique colours, and has won a plethora of medals and championship.
His highest world rankings is 38, with his latest conquest coming only last month, in Germany.
There he bagged a gold medal at the International Taekwondo Championships Germany 2020.
The tournament attracted over 60 countries, including some of the big guns in the sport like Spain, France, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, Austria, Australia and the United States of America.
“Right now, I have a few tears in my eyes, and am extremely happy,” said Sango on his big win.
“It wasn’t easy, I had to fight like a man possessed, but I’m very happy that I did my best and that it was good enough,” he said.
Sango has now set his sights on an Olympic qualification.
Online Reporter