Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Fortunate Chidzivo says she is happy to have represented the country at the global stage despite finishing 53rd in the women’s marathon yesterday at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Chidzivo crossed the finish line in 2 hours 51 minutes 24 seconds to finish in 53rd position out of 73 athletes who lined up for the start of the race.
Ten of the 73 athletes could not finish the race.
Chidzivo, who got a universality slot to the championships, was up against the world’s best and had to dig deep to complete the race.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub after the race, Chidzivo said she feels she did her best.
“A time of 2:51.24, and 53 overall . . . I am so happy I don’t want to lie, I feel proud of myself.
“I have that feeling that I have represented the nation, I have represented the women of Zimbabwe so well.
“It’s unfortunate, it might not be to other people’s expectations. But as for me I am proud, I am happy. I am grateful to God that I have made it to the finish line,” said Chidzivo.
Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir claimed gold in 2 hours 24 minutes 43 seconds. It was a close contest with Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa on second position in 2 hours 24 minutes 45 seconds.
Assefa was followed by Julia Parternain of Uruguay who clocked 2 hours 27 minutes 23 seconds to complete the top three.
It was Chidzivo’s third appearance at the global championships, and her best time from her three appearances is 2 hours 43 minutes 28 seconds posted at the 2023 edition in Budapest, Hungary. She finished 55th.
For her debut in 2017, in London, she finished 74th in 2 hours 58 minutes 51 seconds.
Chidziwo admitted she struggled under the hot weather conditions and wanted to give up at some point.
“We struggled with the heat, the humidity, the temperatures were so high.
“But not to complain about that because even the one who won the race was also racing in that same heat, was also racing in those same conditions we are talking about.
“So, it’s not an excuse to come number 53, it’s not an excuse to run 2:51 because Peres also ran 2:24 and won the race in the same conditions.
“You know when I was running, there was a time I felt like I wanted to throw in the towel.
“But then I was like no, I need to cross this finish line and mark the third time I have finished my race at the World Championships. And it was my second fastest out of the three (I have attended),” added Chidzivo.
In the women’s 400m heats, Vimbayi Misvorewa, making her debut at the global meet, finished seventh in 52.28 seconds in heat one of the six heats at the Japan National Stadium.
The heat was won by Lieke Klaver of Netherlands in 50.32 seconds. Isabella Whittaker from the United States came second in 50.82 seconds while Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley finished third in 51.07 seconds.
The first three of each heat plus the six fastest times qualified for the semi-final. Zimbabwe are fielding eight athletes at the championships.
In today’s events, Isaac Mpofu and Tendai Zimuto were set to compete in the men’s marathon early in the morning as well as Ashley Miller Kamangirira in the women’s 400m hurdles heats.
Sprinters, Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu are up for men’s 200m heats on Wednesday. Also up for competition on the same day is triple jumper Chengetayi Mapaya.
The two US-based sprinters made waves last year when reaching the 200m finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
They have been on the rise and both turned professional in the last few months.
