Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
COULD this be the dawn of a new era for Zimbabwe’s middle and long distance running?
That’s a question only time can answer, but if last week’s dazzling performances at the AUSC Region 5 Games in Swakopmund, Namibia are anything to go by, then the future might already be here.
Teenage stars Tulange Mudenda, Ratidzo Mutepfe, and Thelma Murando pulled off a stunning 1-2-3 finish in the girls’ 5000m, a rare clean sweep that lit up the athletics track and sparked hope for a revival in Zimbabwe’s distance pedigree.
Mudenda, the quiet powerhouse from Binga, stormed to gold in 18:11.50. Mutepfe followed in 18:23.92, while Murando claimed bronze in 18:37.20, just strides behind. The trio’s dominance evoked memories of a golden era in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when coaches like Bhekuzulu Khumalo, James Rugwevera, Joseph Mungwari and Benson Chauke produced gems such as Samukeliso Moyo, Faith Kamangira, Sharon Tavengwa and Zondiwe Nyoni.
“We trained as a unit, we ran as a unit and we finished as a unit,” said a beaming Mudenda after the race.
It wasn’t just the distance runners making noise in Namibia. In the boys’ sprints, Trey Tawananyasha Chimunya left the field in his wake, cruising to gold in the 100m with an eye catching 10,58s. He finished over five metres ahead of his closest challenger, brushing aside pre-race favourites from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
Hayley Chingono shone in the girls’ 200m final, taking silver in 12,32s, while Shalom Sendi finished fourth in 12,54s, further proof that Zimbabwe’s sprint revolution is no fluke.
In the field events, Zimbabwe flexed even more muscle. The boys’ triple jump podium was painted entirely in red, gold, green, and black as Leeroy Chishaya (14.42m), Takunda Mutizwa (14.21m), and Dylane Chamakwara (13.61m) swept gold, silver and bronze.
Chamakwara wasn’t done. In the long jump, he nailed a 7.09m leap to grab silver, this time edging past Mutizwa, who had to settle for bronze.
“We’ve brought pride to Zimbabwe’s jumps,” said Chamakwara, whose technique and tenacity mark him out as one to watch.
Middle-distance runner Martha Chipuriro bagged silver in the 800m with a solid 2:17.06, closely followed by Lethubuhle Sibanda who settled for bronze by a whisker. Sibanda also added a second bronze in the 400m hurdles, contributing to Zimbabwe’s growing medal tally.
The country’s rise wasn’t limited to the track. In the throws, Alicia Machekera and Kimberly Kachambwa brought home silver and bronze in the javelin and discus respectively, further proof that Zimbabwe’s future isn’t just fast, it’s strong too.
True to President Mnangagwa’s call for inclusivity, Zimbabwe also fielded para-athletes and Special Olympics participants. Thembelihle Nkomo, Faith Zevi, and Ashley Minehle Sibanda all put in courageous performances in the T11, T12, and T13 categories, securing top-five finishes and proving that talent knows no boundaries.
Medals, moments and a message of hope
Athletics alone delivered a haul of golds, silvers and bronzes across track, field and para events. More than just medals, Zimbabwe’s team showed depth, promise and a clear commitment to development and inclusion.
“These kids have given Zimbabwe a future,” said National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe vice president Siphathisiwe Machaya.
“They’ve run for their flag and they’ve run into history.”
With some of these athletes already drawing interest from international scouts, and many eligible for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, this might just be the generation that puts Zimbabwe back on the global athletics map.
