Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE had never reached a men’s 4x400m final at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships until four young runners changed that in Eugene, Oregon.
Nenyasha Chihora, Emmanuel Uriga, Gift Khumalo and Ropafadzo Mzondo clocked a national Under-20 record of 3 minutes 08.56 seconds in the heats at Hayward Field to qualify for the final.
The quartet finished eighth in the final in 3 minutes 12.14 seconds.
For the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ), the performance was evidence that its relay strategy is beginning to produce results at junior level.
But NAAZ president Tendayi Tagara does not want the achievement to become another isolated result.
“We cannot celebrate today and then start from zero when the next competition comes,” he said.
“The athletes need camps. They need competition. They need exposure. They need equipment, travel, recovery and professional support. These things require resources.”
Tagara’s warning comes after a series of breakthroughs for Zimbabwe’s senior men’s 4x400m team.
Gerren Muwishi, Dennis Hove, Thandazani Ndhlovu and Leeford Zuze set a national record of 2 minutes 59.01 seconds in the heats at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, in May.
The record carried the locally based quartet into the final and secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.
They finished fifth in the final.
Two weeks later, the same team clocked 3 minutes 01.11 seconds to win Zimbabwe’s first men’s 4x400m title at the African Senior Championships in Accra, Ghana.
The junior team’s performance in Oregon has now given NAAZ another group on which to build.
National junior and youth head coach Briad Nhubu believes relay events are creating more opportunities for local athletes to compete internationally.
“The results are pleasing and encouraging,” he said. “Relays are providing opportunities for more athletes to display their potential on the world stage.
“They motivate athletes and give them confidence to work harder.”
Zimbabwe sent a nine-member team to the World Under-20 Championships, with NAAZ using the competition to widen opportunities for female athletes.
Chihora and Uriga joined Nataly Shoko and Anesu Nyahuma in the mixed 4x400m relay.
The team bowed out in the opening round. Nhubu said the mixed relay was introduced to help more female athletes reach major competitions, while also supporting their development in individual events.
“Qualifying for the world stage has been a dream for some time,” he said.
“The mixed relay has helped us involve more female athletes in active competition. We are intensifying efforts to see them match their counterparts.”
Mzondo also competed in the individual 400m.
The 17-year-old clocked 46.51 seconds in the heats to set a personal best and national Under-18 record.
But he bowed out in the semi-finals.
Zimbabwe were represented in the men’s high jump by Tatenda Chindowa, who placed 15th overall after clearing 2.10m.
For NAAZ, the value of the World Under-20 Championships goes beyond the final placings.
The competition gives junior athletes experience of chasing qualifying standards, preparing for a major championship and competing against the world’s best before moving into the senior ranks.
Nhubu believes the performances in Oregon show that Zimbabwe’s development efforts are producing athletes capable of competing at that level.
“We need to build on the level we have established,” he said.
“We need consistent programmes to ensure that we continue moving forward.”
With resources and facilities limited at home, NAAZ still relies heavily on international scholarships to help its leading track and field athletes develop and gain international exposure.
Tagara has appealed to the corporate sector and other stakeholders to support the athletes between major competitions.
At 17, Mzondo remains eligible for one more World Under-20 Championships.
Nhubu expects him to improve on his Oregon performance.
“Yes, he is capable of surpassing the current performance,” he said.
“He is focused, hardworking and very disciplined. With these attributes, he can definitely achieve very high standards.”
