Triple jumper US bound

Blessing Rwizi
A 17-YEAR-OLD former St Faith’s student’s sterling effort in triple jump has earned him a four-year scholarship at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

Brian Mada, who resides in Rusape, is a holder of the national record in the Under-20 boys’ triple jump and has won a number of junior triple jump awards.

The young athlete added another further on his growing accolades cap by scooping a gold medal in the sport he knows best during the just-ended Zimbabwe National Youth Games.

In an interview this week, Mada confirmed that he will be leaving for the US next week to pursue academic studies as well as participating in triple jump.

“I am happy to have achieved this at this moment in my career and I hope to make the best use of the chance that has been presented to me. I will be leaving for the USA next week to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Economics as well as participating in triple jump effectively,” said Mada.

“This is a chance that I have been waiting for and now that it has come, I want to thank my coaches from St Faith’s for the training and the Mada family for motivating me since I was 15. Now that I have been awarded this opportunity to showcase my talent at a higher platform, I will do it whole heartedly since I have high hopes of competing in the Olympics within the next three years.

“I really want to urge many youngsters who are into any sporting discipline to take sport seriously and practice hard if they entertain hopes of getting opportunities like these.

“I may also want to urge the corporate community to spare the little they can for this kind of sport. We have the talent in the country, but we just do not have enough sponsorship,” he said.

However, Mada won the scholarship from the US government following his great performance at All Africa Junior Champion Games played in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in March.

The youngster also represented the country at the Southern Region Junior Championship Games which were held in South Africa in May this year.

Martin Moyo, his personal trainer from the United States Embassy, said Mada’s achievement was a result of the hard work that he puts into the sport.

“It is true that he is leaving for Chicago and this young man is capable of doing greater things. I have no doubts that he will one day compete with the best. He has the potential and all it needs is support and motivation,” said Moyo.