Online Reporter
THEY didn’t bring home the gold, but they brought back something just as valuable, belief.
Zimbabwe wrapped up its campaign at the 2025 Africa Genesis Archery (AGA) Federation World Tournament in Walvis Bay with a bronze medal and a renewed sense of purpose after four gripping days of competition that tested both nerves and technique.
While the senior national team fell short of the podium in the main team event, there were clear signs that Zimbabwe’s archery programme is moving in the right direction. The squad showed improved consistency in the middle order compared to last year, and two individual standouts, Andrew Manning and Riyaan Patel, turned heads with personal best performances.
Manning, representing the AGA Federation (AGAF) Team in a special exhibition match against Canada, delivered a masterclass by shooting a perfect 50 with five bull’s eyes at 10 metres. The feat reaffirmed his status as one of Africa’s elite archers and lit up the tournament.
“I felt locked in,” said Manning. “It was just one of those days where every shot felt right.”
Zimbabwe’s Development Team were the ones to crack the medal tally, claiming bronze after pushing deep into the final day. With guest nation Canada sweeping all the team golds, including the senior categories, Zimbabwe’s bronze stands as a hard earned reward in a fiercely competitive field.
The heart of the story, though, might belong to 15 year old Wiseman Makore, a rising star whose journey has inspired both teammates and coaches. Born and raised in rural Masvingo, Makore only moved to Marondera earlier this year. In just months, he earned his spot on the national team.
“This is only the beginning,” said Makore, beaming after his final shoot. “I just want to keep getting better.”
His meteoric rise speaks to the growing reach and impact of the AGA Zimbabwe (AGA ZW) programme, which has steadily expanded its footprint since joining the Federation in 2014. From producing multiple all-Africa champions to now cultivating a deeper bench of talent, Zimbabwe’s grassroots system is bearing fruit.
Even in a tournament dominated by Canada’s visiting contingent, Zimbabwe’s showing stood out for its grit and upward trajectory. The team may not have left Namibia with top honors, but the performances across the board hinted at something more important, potential.
“Our scores are going up, our confidence is growing, and our kids are believing they belong on this stage,” said one senior official from the delegation.
With more school partnerships being rolled out and junior programmes feeding into Olympic style disciplines like recurve, the Federation is laying a foundation for long term success. Zimbabwe’s archers may still be chasing the continent’s best, but the distance is closing.
And if Walvis Bay was any indication, Zimbabwe isn’t just aiming higher, they’re hitting closer to the mark.
Online Reporter