Cox, Mpofu focus on Olympic preparations
IT is every athlete’s dream to compete at the Olympic Games and for the pair of Isaac Mpofu and Stephen Cox, realising it has been fulfilling.
The Games are scheduled for July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.
Mpofu and Cox are the only two Zimbabwean athletes that have so far qualified for the Games.
Mpofu qualified for the men’s marathon and rower Cox secured his spot in the Men’s Single Scull (M1x). Addressing the media at a press conference held at the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee headquarters in Harare, both athletes expressed excitement for their qualification.
Cox joined the briefing via Zoom as he is currently training in Australia as part of his preparations for the Games.
He said qualifying for the Games came as a relief since it was not his first time to try and qualify for a global show-piece.
“So for me, it was a big sense of pride, national pride, and also a relief because this wasn’t the first time I have tried to qualify. And there has been a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice both from my wife and myself to get this thing over the line and make it work.
“So I was delighted, there were lots of tears and emotions going around when we finished and got the qualification in the bag,” said Cox.
Cox is training at the Sydney Rowing Club after being offered membership for training with the support of ZOC.
He is set to compete in a couple of competitions ahead of the Games.
“So with my training, I feel like the more I compete the better I get . . . you gain more experience each time you race. I race multiple World Cups and World Championships, and these are the same guys I will be racing at the Olympics. So along the way, I get a good ranking and a good measure of how I compare to them.
“So the first one will be the second World Cup, which is middle of May and that will be the first comparison I will get and then we can test and adjust and see, the third World Cup and then there is a good six-week break until the Olympics after that. So I think I will be very competitive in Paris,” said Cox.
Mpofu said he is happy and grateful for finally making earning his place at the Olympics. He is now in camp in Harare and will be working with coach Benson Chauke until he leaves for the Games.
Having achieved some of his best times while training locally, Mpofu said he is hopeful of the camp in Harare.
“It’s all about my mentality. Some believe that I can do it when I go to Kenya because there are the best runners there and in Ethiopia. “But for me, if you look at my results they all came whilst I was here in Zimbabwe.
So I feel like I can do it whilst I am here in Zimbabwe.”
Chauke said with the support they are getting, they are hopeful.
“We have the terrain, we have the facilities, the environment, and our dirt roads out there I think those have given us fairly good results.
“And with this kind of support that Isaac is getting particularly this time around, we are hopeful that if everything works together for the good, we will get the desired results,” said Chauke. Both Cox and Mpofu said self-belief is key to achieving their goals.
ZOC chair of the Technical and Development Commission Rick Fulton said there is still time and opportunities for athletes to qualify. “We still do have some opportunities for athletes, particularly in athletics and swimming. We still have the possibility of some other codes that are still in the framework and have the possibility of making it to the Games either through the qualification process or the universality process as well, which is also an option to get athletes there.
“The best route is through the normal qualification channels, which are incredibly tough for every sport,” said Fulton.
ZOC chief executive officer Marlene Gadzirayi and Chef de Mission Ringisai Mapondera also attended the press conference. After fielding five athletes at the previous Games Zimbabwe is hoping to improve the numbers for the forthcoming Games.
TANAKA Chatora was crowned the 2024 Dugmore Trophy champion at Bulawayo Golf Club after he managed to beat a field of 56 players who took to the field at the weekend.
The 17-year-old Heritage School student won the event, which marked the beginning of the 2024 golfing season with a two-under-par overall score.
Chatora was outstanding in the three rounds where he saw off the challenge of another seasoned contender, Keegan Shutt.
Yolanda Mubaiwa came third and was the best female golfer at the tournament.
ZGA administrator Tirivashe Nheweyembwa said they are looking forward to more women golfers taking part in this year’s national tournaments.
“Going forward we continue to implore more ladies to participate in the national tournaments so that they stand a chance to be on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR)
“The tournament went on well and we had a good turnout and as the opening event, we look forward to continue improving. The course was in perfect
FORMER Zimbabwe international, Kudakwashe Mahachi has left Ghanaian top-flight league side, Medeama after only five months of a one-year contract.
While Mahachi’s next move is not yet certain, former Zimbabwe champions Chicken Inn are reportedly keen on re-engaging him.
Returning coach, Joey Antipas has reportedly expressed interest in bringing him back to the team ahead of the 2024 Premiership season.
Medeama was not satisfied by Mahachi’s match fitness and, although condition and we are grateful to the greenkeepers and everyone who is making efforts to see the club in its perfect condition,” said Nheweyembwa.
The Royal Harare-based top amateur golfer, Chatora, managed to score rounds of 71, 78, and 70 for a total of 219 to win the opening tournament of the Zimbabwe Golf Association calendar.
“I am happy to have won this tournament, and I am grateful to everyone who has supported me in this journey. I am looking forward to continuing with this development and continuing to represent the country before I turn professional.
“The field was competitive but I managed to do well,” said Chatora.
Shutt who is also affiliated to Royal Harare was eight shots behind on sixover with Kelvin Muchenje also in the mix.
Last year’s runner-up Mathew Williams of Bulawayo Golf Club used his course knowledge to remain in contention as he finished fifth with rounds of 74, 80, and 75 for a total of 229.
Leon Mushonga, Garrick Duff, Barry Painting, Courage Muchenje, and Elton Zulu completed the top 10. they gave him time, they decided to close the door on him last week.
Mahachi left South African Premiership side, SuperSport United after a domestic problem that sidelined him for a season.
Apart from SuperSport United, Mahachi also played for Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Golden Arrows and made a total of 153 appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 19 assists at the various clubs.
Chicken Inn is keen to build a strong squad for the Premiership campaign which gets underway next month and Antipas is known for his love for creative midfielders.