Tagara confident of a bigger NAAZ team

Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub

NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara believes they stand a good chance of having a few more athletes making the cut for the World Athletics Championships scheduled for September in Tokyo, Japan.

The global meet is due to take place from September 13 to 21. Tagara and NAAZ are purring over the qualification of marathon runners Isaac Mpofu and Tendai Zimuto by World Rankings. This comes as the qualification window for marathon closed on May 4.

For other events, including track and field, the qualification window runs until August 24. Mpofu and Zimuto join United States-based sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe, who have qualified for 200m, and Vimbayi Maisvorewa, who secured her spot in the women’s 400m.

“The coming in of Tendai, it’s a good indication that at least Mpofu has someone to push around with and they are training together.”

The qualifying time for the marathon is 2 hours 6 minutes 30 seconds for men.

While the two runners missed the time, their efforts in the last year paid off as it pushed their ranking and they will be part of the field in Tokyo.

For Zimuto, it will be his first appearance at the World Championships.

Mpofu has been to the global meet before and represented the country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. NAAZ are pinning their hopes on the men’s 4x400m relay team currently in Guangzhou, China for the World Relays taking place today and tomorrow, to also make the grade. The programme at the relays includes men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, plus mixed relays.

The top 14 teams from each of the disciplines at the meet automatically qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo. Zimbabwe are up against France, Kenya, United States of America, Poland and India in heat Four.

The first two in each heat, in round one, qualify for World Championships and the World Relays final. The remaining teams will have another chance to try and qualify for the World Championships in round two scheduled for tomorrow while the first eight compete in the final.

“It’s a group of death. Technically our hope is on Sunday (tomorrow).

“Tomorrow (today) they select the top two from each heat. Then on Sunday the rest of the teams compete again,” said Tagara.

Coach Lisimati Phakamile, who is with the team in China, spoke of confidence within his camp.

“All the boys are eager to go on to the track and do their best for their country, for their homes and for themselves.

“Remember this is the first time that Zimbabwe has sent a 4x400m relay team to the World Relays.”

The team is made up of Dennis Hove, Gerren Muwishi, Leeford Zuze and Aldrin Mafa.

Tagara said they are also looking at sprinter David Nyamufarira, who has also been doing well and triple jumper Chengetayi Mapaya.