adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SEASONED long-distance runners Gilbert Mutandiro and Cephas Pasipamire say they are geared up for the IAAF World Championships running from August 22 to 30 in Beijing, China. The championships will also serve as a qualifier for the Olympic Games scheduled for next year in Brazil. Zimbabwe is fielding four athletes – Mutandiro, Pasipamire and Cuthbert Nyasango – in marathon.
They will be joined by United States-based sprinter Tatenda Tsumba.
All the four athletes qualified for the championships last year at various competitions held across the world.
Mutandiro, Pasipamire and Nyasango are expected to leave for China on Thursday while Tsumba will join the rest of the team from his base in the United Sates.
Mutandiro, who has been working with Pasipamire said they were ready to go and added that he is hoping to make the time for the Olympics.
“Preparations were okay. We have been preparing for the past four months and we are expecting to do well in the championships.
“This is my first time competing in the World Championships because the last time I qualified I could not go because I was notified that I was in the team late and could not make it.
“However, I have been training with Cephas Pasipamire, he has been to the event before and he has been helping me.
“I just want to make it for the Olympics next year,” said Mutandiro.
His teammate, Pasipamire will be making his second appearance at the championships having been there in 2013 in Russia although he did not compete because of an injury.
The 40-year-old, who was in Swaziland for the SARPCCO Games, said although he has had some challenges along the way preparing for the competition, including a knee injury, he remains hopeful.
“I can say all is well. I faced some challenges, as you know I am an athlete with ZRP so I was training with Gilbert and Olivia Chitate.
“But the problem is I fell in Swaziland during the SARPCCO Games and sustained a knee injury but I am okay now.
“I am hoping to do well because last time it was painful. I had worked so hard but failed to compete because of an injury.
Online Reporter