The Sunday Mail
Lawson Madzivanyika
MISFORTUNE continues to stalk one of Zimbabwe’s promising sprinters Tatenda Musarurwa.
After rising to fame in 2011, when he clinched his first national gold medal at a meet in Bindura, Musarurwa has struggled as he battles a series of setbacks.
After winning the national junior championships in Bindura the talented athlete could not travel with the national team to Mauritius for the World Junior Championships as he had to sit for Advanced Level exams.
“I was caught in a catch-22 situation at the time and chose to pursue academics instead of sport. In fact my parents made the decision for me since school in Zimbabwe is a priority as compared to sports,” said the 21-year old Musarurwa.
In 2014, the athlete passed the line in 10,71s in a 100m heat in South Africa and was primed to win the meet’s final.
However, Musarurwa pulled a hamstring as he warmed up for the final.
“The injury was a big blow because I was about to show the world what I am really made of, but the gods were not on my side that fateful day. What pains me the most is that I was on national duty but had to foot my medical bills,” he lamented.
Late year, as his tale of misfortune continued, Musarurwa failed to make the trip for the World Championships in the United States due to financial constraints. This year he has his eyes on qualifying for the Rio Olympic Games.His fingers crossed.
“I have been unlucky over the past few years, every time I am about to make a breakthrough something comes up,” said the Midlands State University (Politics and Public Admnistration) student.
“This year I am aiming to qualify for the Olympics and I am working hard to improve my time. The Zimbabwe University Sports Association games should provide me with the perfect platform to make the Olympic qualifying time.”
The Olympic 100m qualifying time is 10,16s.
