adminTinashe Kusema
WHETHER it was an epiphany, the threat of watching his dreams go up in smoke or a simple look at the calendar; the reality of Tinotenda Matiyenga’s current predicament hit him hard and square between the eyes during the NCAA Track and Field National Championships held in the United States of America a fortnight ago.
This is not how he envisioned his season would end, stuck in the stands as fellow countrymen and roommate Chengetayi Mapaya leapt his way to a national title and instant fame at Texas Christian College. “You see, the way sports are structured in the United States, athletics ranks way below the likes of basketball, baseball and American Football on the college circuit,” said Matiyenga.
“So when Chenge (Mapaya) brought back the national title from the national championships, it was the huge achievement for him and the college. “I was there in the stands, together with some of our college mates and fans, and we were all happy for him,” he said.
However, it was there, in the stands, that the former Prince Edward High School student did a little reflection of his own. “From a personal stand point, I was quite disappointed with the way my season had unfolded; I am way faster than I used to be, somewhere in the regions of 65% faster, but every time I went for a track meet it just never came together, “said the 20-year-old.
“I remember being there at the meet (NCAA Champs), but mostly watching from the stands as our relay didn’t fare so well, and thinking to myself these guys are fast,” he said.
The solution, according to the man himself, was a lot closer to home than anyone thought. Matiyenga needs a little “saskam power” and who better to learn from than a master – a friend, countryman and his roommate- Chengetayi Mapaya. After all, the Olympic season is just around the corner, and the two TCU sophomores will need to bring their A game if they are to compete and qualify. Mapaya already has a leg, given his recent feat, and now Booster, as Matiyenga is known as, has to catch up. “DU (Chenge) has a special quality about him, I don’t know if there is a word for it, but I call it “saskam power”. “There is no obstacle that he cannot overcome and in his mind he is the best at everything he does. “I remember, at the start of the season, his goal was always to jump 17 meters and he set out to achieve it at every meet. “He did not let anything or any disappointment deter him and that is the edge that could set me apart from the other runners.
“I went to my coach, at TCU, a few weeks ago and he told me that putting the hours on the track and in the gym will not cut it at this level. ‘Everyone is doing the same, I need to work on my mental strength,” he said. The 100 and 200-meters expert is on a month-long break now and has set about clearing his head and enjoying some time off before the 2019/20 season begins. “I had qualified for the African Games (formerly All-Africa Games), but will not be able to attend due to school commitments,” said Matiyenga. ‘That has given me some time off, which I intend to maximize and enjoy my first visit back since I moved to the Sates.
“Being back home has been very surreal for me, as the load-shedding has been hard to get used too. “A lot of things have changed, since I was last here, and I have been just hanging out with a couple of old friends and paying a visit or two to my old school Prince Edward.
“I resume training mid-July, after which the goal will be to qualify for the Olympics,” he said.
Online Reporter