Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TOP Zimbabwe female wheelchair racer Stellah Jongwe wants to write her way into history.
After winning almost all her half-marathon races this year, Jongwe now has one specific target: She wants to be the first female wheelchair athlete from this country to take part in either the Boston Marathon or Chicago Marathon.
And she is determined to write her own piece of history by taking on some of the world’s best female wheelchair athletes at these two prestigious international road races in the US.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub recently, the 24-year-old racer said she wants to reshape the course of history and her dream is all about racing at either the Boston Marathon or Chicago Marathon in the not-too-distant future.
“Yeah . . . I’m dreaming big . . . at least big because I want to be the first female (wheelchair) athlete from Zimbabwe to one day compete in the Chicago Marathon or Boston Marathon.
“It’s now seven years in the sport and surely the main aim is to compete at either one of these two big international road races in the US.
“Let’s shake the tree and see what falls,” Jongwe said.
Jongwe has had a stellar season this year, clinching gold medals in local events such as the CBZ Marathon, the Tanganda Tea Half-Marathon, the Econet Marathon, the Beitbridge Mayor’s Marathon and the ZRP Marathon.
She also stole the show at the Jacaranda Bloom Half-Marathon, which was held in October at Harare Gardens.
The annual event celebrated inclusion and diversity in sport; and Jongwe won the women’s 10km category in a good time of 31 minutes 36 seconds.
In fact, despite facing physical challenges, Jongwe competed fiercely in the women’s wheelchair racing category throughout the year.
“The performance of this year was way better than back then. Even the times l recorded for half-marathons, I’m improving,” Jongwe said.
She said her performances were boosted after she received a customised wheelchair through grants.
“And also I’m glad that I have managed to use the recommended gloves which are difficult to get in this country.
“We had many races this year compared to years back and l won a gold medal in all of them.
“But unfortunately, I feel like l can do better than this because here in Zimbabwe there is no stiff or harsh competition than outside. “So, because of this I may not train harder. So next year, I’m planning to attend more races around Africa before I proceed to the international level.
“Maybe if I can start with (racing in) Botswana, Kenya and Zambia then I can see where my strength is.
“If not for marathons, I can try track. Yeah, that’s the big plan so far. During the first week or so of February I will attend the OCC in South Africa for a time check-up.
“The future is really bright for me,” she said.
She races under the Wheelchair and Hand Cycling Racers Association of Zimbabwe.
Veteran men’s wheelchair racer Elford Moyo is also a member of this organisation.
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