Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TENDAI ZIMUTO’s life is proof that sport can rewrite a person’s fate.
He grew up in Chivhu with no thought of fame or riches, only a stubborn streak and long legs that would eventually carry him far beyond his small town. Now 30, the Zimbabwean marathon runner is about to make his World Championships debut in Tokyo, Japan.
On Wednesday last week, hours before boarding his flight, Zimuto could barely hide his excitement.
“This is my first time at the World Championships and I can’t really say I have big expectations going into the meet,” he said.
“The goal in going to Japan is to learn as much as I can, absorb as much information and as many lessons as I can and just try to enjoy myself.
“Of course, I want to do well and have been training hard for that. My brother Isaac Mpofu, who is going for the fourth time, told me that he ran a time of two hours and 55 minutes on his debut, but learnt a lot from that experience.
“I am still young and probably have about seven years to achieve everything I want, but I have to begin somewhere. I plan to meet as many people as possible and learn as much as I can.”
Despite his casual tone, the trip means everything.
Qualifying for the World Championships, he said, felt “like the Warriors making it to the World Cup”.
Zimuto remembers the call from National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president Tendayi Tagara telling him his ranking had made the grade.
“I was so happy words can’t even describe the joy my family, friends and I had,” he said.
This achievement is a reward for a journey that began in 2008 and has been defined by grit and persistence.
Zimuto first ran at Gamanya Primary School and Mahusvu Secondary School, but athletics was not love at first sight.
“I first got into athletics when I was in primary school and it was one of those things I did to fulfil a requirement,” he said.
“When I then got to secondary school, I had left all that behind and did not partake in any particular sport. How I then returned to athletics is actually a funny story. I had a cousin of mine who was a great track runner at Mahusvu and it was only after the sportsmaster heard my name and our relation that he forced me to join the track team.
“I eventually gave in, but only after some persuasion and a couple of beatings.”
Zimuto quickly excelled, but money was a constant barrier.
“I remember failing to write my O-Level exams because my parents couldn’t raise the exam fees and there wasn’t any money to fund my athletics career at all,” he said.
Even when he made the national team in 2010, he lacked a passport and funds for travel.
Help came from unexpected places.
A rival coach, Nyoni, saw Zimuto’s potential and trained him.
Nyoni would sometimes cycle to meet Zimuto, who could not walk the 25km distance to practise.
The coach introduced him to Ben Chauke, who secured an athletics scholarship that took Zimuto to Harare’s Kuwadzana 1 High School.
Chauke then connected him to Olympian Cuthbert Nyasango, whose generosity went beyond advice.
“Cuthbert is my role model, not necessarily because of his achievement, but also the assistance he gave me through the years. When I was trying to break through, I did not have much in terms of money or equipment, but he helped get everything I needed.
“Everything from training and running shoes to training clothes, he either gave me his or helped find me new ones. I will be forever grateful,” Zimuto said.
The Covid-19 pandemic nearly derailed his plans, as training stopped and motivation drained away.
Then Mpofu, who needed a training partner, called.
“It came as a surprise to everyone when Mpofu chose me,” said Zimuto.
“There were a few jealous people who wanted that opportunity and figured that I didn’t deserve it.
“However, training and talking with him helped me regain my love for the sport.”
Now, Zimuto and Mpofu are headed for Tokyo together.
They will run the long-distance and marathon races, joined by compatriots Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba in the 200m, Chengetayi Mapaya in the triple jump and women’s marathoner Fortunate Chidzivo, with Vimbai Maisvoreva and Ashley Miller Kamangira in the 400m and 400m hurdles.
Zimuto may not yet have wealth to match his talent, but his story carries a different kind of richness: persistence, loyalty and the quiet belief that one race can change a life.
