Zim teen sets new high jump record

RISING high jump star Kudakwashe Chadenga is on cloud nine after breaking the country’s long standing high jump national record of 2,16m at the Charlie Thomas Invitational in College Station, Texas, the United States at the weekend.

The 19-year-old rising star, who is on an athletic scholarship at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, in the US, made history by being the first Zimbabwean to clear the 2,20m mark in high jump.

The former Prince Edward School pupil subsequently broke Zimbabwe’s 22-year-old national indoor high jump record of 2,16m set by George Maringapasi on January 15, 2000 in New York.

Chadenga’s personal best jump of 2,20m at the Charlie Thomas Invitational in College Station meant that the Zimbabwean freshman came second during the meet behind University of Texas at Arlington senior Bryson Deberry.

His best jump not only set the new Zimbabwe men’s indoor and outdoor national record, but also ranks number six on the alltime marks in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

“I feel good. This is something I had been working on for a very long time. I am shocked and I can’t believe it,” an elated Chadenga told MWC SPORT.

Chadenga recently set a personal best of 2,14m in 2021, which became the national junior record in outdoor high jump.

This time around after a few adjustments to his jumping, he made a huge 6cm improvement.

“I think where I got it right was my technique. I changed it recently and it worked pretty well since my last PB was 2.14m.”

Chadenga is the young brother of national team high jumper Munyaradzi and he dedicated his recent success to him.

“I dedicate this achievement to my brother Munya (Munyaradzi Chadenga), the real ‘Sky’. This is for him to say that all our hard work has paid off.”

After realising his goal of breaking the national record, Chadenga will now have his sights on the upcoming major competitions such as the Africa Senior Championships and the World Championships.