Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A WEEK after making his debut at the World Athletics Championships Tendai Zimuto seems inspired to go for more as he looks ahead.
The marathon runner was one of the eight Zimbabwean athletes at the just-ended 20th edition of the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Zimuto, competing at the championships for the first time placed 61 in the men’s event in 2 hours 28 minutes 10 seconds.
He represented the country in the marathon together with his more seasoned teammate Isaac Mpofu and for him, the event was a learning curve.
“I am very happy that I participated in my first World Championships, and it’s not easy.
“It starts with the qualification, it’s not easy to qualify. Once you qualify you are now going to compete with the best in the world.
“For me it’s a great achievement and I am very happy that I managed to finish the race. I had an injury but I man-aged to finish the race.
“So, I was happy to finish the race,” said Zimuto. Zimuto admits there is a lot that still needs to improve if he is to leave a mark at the world stage. “From my experience in Tokyo, we have to work hard because world level it’s not easy.
“Isaac came 10th and you will see that his level and mine is different. It’s not easy to be number 10 because we are talking of the world’s best, each country brought their best to compete in Tokyo.
“The competition is tough when you get to this stage, so you need to really prepare, I mean proper preparation. I can say I learnt a lot’’.
The Zimbabwe National Army runner acknowledged the need
“I have to make some adjustments and my wish is to continue improving and competing at this level. For my next competition, as long as it is a world level, I have to work very hard.
“I need to adjust to get to the next level because I now understand that the athletes you meet at this stage, they mean business, you are competing with the best,” added Zimuto.
His desire is qualifying for the 2027 World Championships to be held in Beijing, China, and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
But for now, he is shifting his focus to the next immediate task, the National Cross-Country Championships in November.
The goal is to make the grade for the World Cross Country Championships on next year in January in the United States.
The national competition serves as the selection event for athletes who will then advance to the World Cross Country Championships.
“I am looking at the World Cross Country Championships and I am starting my preparation for cross country. “I think if I start training in October up to the competition, I am fighting to first qualify here in Zimbabwe. If I advance to the next level then I go a gear up.
“Then after cross country I start focusing on marathon for Beijing 2027 (World Championships). I want to qualify for that and then Los Angeles, Olympics.
