Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TWO years after his first attempt on marathon, Tendai Zimuto is off to the World Athletics Championships for his maiden appearance at the global competition.
The meet takes off on Saturday and ends on September 21 in Tokyo, Japan.
Zimuto, together with Isaac Mpofu will represent Zimbabwe in men’s marathon.
Their race is scheduled for September 15.
“As my first time at the World Championships I am very happy because World Championships, that’s the highest level of competition for athletics.
“It’s a reflection of the work one would have put in as an athlete, and it’s a huge achievement in one’s career. So, I am happy to reach this level.
“It’s a big achievement for me. I worked very hard to qualify for this World Championships, since last year. It was not easy. I am very happy,” said Zimuto.
Zimuto, ran his first marathon, the CBZ competition in March, 2023 and surprised himself when coming first in 2 hours 18 minutes 32 seconds.
Prior to that, he concentrated on 10km and half marathons.
Tendai Zimuto
He went on to retain the title last year with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes 38 seconds and has never looked back.
The Black Rhinos Athletics Club runner also won last year’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon in 2 hours 17 minutes 14 seconds.
Besides local races, he made notable progress on the international stage, running under 2:10 twice – posting a time of 2 hours 9 minutes 30 seconds at the Enschede Marathon in Netherlands last year in April.
Zimuto then clocked 2 hours 9 minutes 43 seconds at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon late last year.
His efforts paid off earning his qualification through world rankings, which was confirmed this year in May.
Since then, they have been training together with Mpofu in Harare led by seasoned coach Benson Chauke.
“I want to thank our association NAAZ (National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe), the president Mr Tagara for ensuring we were in camp since May.
“There were challenges here and there, but we were getting assistance from our mother body NAAZ. Also, ZOC (Zimbabwe Olympic Committee) were supporting us.
“I want to thank all those organisations.
Tendai Zimuto
“And I want to thank my organisation, which is the Zimbabwe National Army. Thank you for the permission to go for the camp,
“I have been in camp, training very well with coach Benson Chauke and Isaac Mpofu. Also, we had Wellington Varevi, he was just helping us.
“Now we are heading towards the competition . . . We are hoping to do well. We will do our best as Team Zimbabwe.
“I hope the nation will rally behind us,” said Zimuto.
The marathon runners – Zimuto, Mpofu and Fortunate Chidzivo, who will represent Zimbabwe the women’s race were scheduled to leave for Tokyo late yesterday.
Zimuto is looking up to his training partner and teammate, Mpofu.
“I learnt a lot from Isaac, without his support I don’t think I would have made it. From Isaac I learnt a lot, from training, he would guide me to say this is good, this is wrong, sharing from experiences.
“To me he is like a brother because he taught me many things, how to handle myself, what to eat . . . a proper diet for an athlete,” said Zimuto.
At the previous edition staged in Budapest, Hungary in 2023, Ngonidzashe Ncube, Mpofu and Chidzivo represented Zimbabwe in the marathon races.
