Bunjiwe Mkwananzi
Ellina Mhlanga Zimpapers Sports Hub
RISING sprinter Ropafadzo Mzondo was engrossed in ecstasy after he earned a late call-up to Team Zimbabwe for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee announced the addition last week, almost three months after the initial team was named, following the allocation of an extra quota slot by the YOG Organising Committee in consultation with World Athletics.
Mzondo will compete in 200m at the Games scheduled for October 31 to November 13 in Senegal.
It is going to be the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African soil.
“When I was told that I made the national team for the Youth Olympic Games, to be honest I was lost for words. I didn’t know what to do.
“I didn’t even know how to feel in that moment because I had so much joy, shock and surprised.
“So, I don’t even know what was going on in my head in that moment because a lot of emotions were just coming into my head.
“But in general, I was so happy. This might have been the most shocking and most amazing news that I could have gotten at that time.
“I think the best news I could have ever gotten,” said Mzondo.
Mzondo’s addition means Zimbabwe are now set to field 12 athletes at the Games across seven sport codes – athletics, cycling, equestrian, judo, rowing, swimming and triathlon.
“And this the best step towards my development as an athlete especially coming from the World Under-20 Championships. I will utilise the knowledge and experience I gained there in my races at the Youth Olympic Games.”
Mzondo narrowly missed qualification for the 200m event going into the World Under-20 Championships held in August in Oregon, Eugene, United States.
The plan was to qualify for both 400m and 200m.
Getting the chance to now run 200m at the YOG, Mzondo said it can only be God’s plan.
“The opportunity to run it at the Youth Olympic Games just shows that the Lord planned for me to run the 200m this year at a world stage.
“And there is nothing stopping me from bringing back a medal,” said Mzondo.
He added; “So, this year, my dream was to run, to hold two national records, one in the 400m and one in the 200m.
“And since the beginning of the year, I have been working towards those dreams. I didn’t think it was possible, but now that I have been given the chance, it might be possible”
The 17-year-old hogged the limelight after setting a national Under-18 record in 400m on his way to the semi-final at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.
He posted a time of 46.51 seconds in the heats, breaking the previous national record of 47.02 seconds, he had set earlier in the year when securing his qualification for the junior meet.
Mzondo went on to help the 4x400m relay team to reach the final after finishing third in the heats in a new national Under-20 record of 3 minutes 08.56 seconds.
“The plan now is to just work as hard as I can and fast forward my training programmes with my coaches.
“After the performance at the World Under-20s I expect much more from myself in Dakar,” Mzondo said.
However, the young athlete is not putting himself under pressure.
“But the goal is to have fun, that’s my main goal.
“This is just a stepping stone in the development, so my goal is to just have fun and enjoy the races.
I am not going to be putting too much pressure on myself.
“And to me winning is part of having fun…I believe that in everything which you do, you have to enjoy it in order to do your best,” said Mzondo.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe head coach for youth and junior teams Briad Nhubu, who led the athletics members including Mzondo that were part of Team Zimbabwe for the African
Youth Games last December in Angola said; “I am really impressed and it was something that we expected.
“You know, he was one of best athletes for Team Zimbabwe, for the youth that represented
Zimbabwe in Angola. And actually, to fail to get a slot, it was just something that we weren’t expecting.
“It was just a blow to the athlete’s aspiration.
“So, I want to thank God for just giving him another opportunity so that he can showcase his talent.
“And actually, looking at the way he performed in Oregon, the World U20 Championships, he did very well,” Nhubu said.
