The Sunday Mail
“Manyuchi’s double punch”, “Charlie’s big night”, “Manyuchi finally rewarded”, the local newspapers’ back page headlines screamed on Thursday morning after one of the country’s most successful boxers ever, Charles “Cat Face” Manyuchi, was named Sportsperson of the Year.
After enduring a painful near-miss last season, the World Boxing Council and African Boxing Union welterweight champion was finally recognised at the Annual National Sports Awards ceremony held at a local hotel Wednesday night.
Many thought it was going to be Cara Black, the iconic female tennis player who has hoisted the Zimbabwean flag high at various major international competitions for almost two decades.
Black and her doubles partner Sania Mirza of India, won the Portugal Open, the Pan Pacific Championship in Tokyo and were losing finalists in the high profile BNP Paribas WTA in Singapore.
Whispers of the name Scott Vincent, the America-based golfer whose stock rose immensely during the year, were also heard among the dignitaries, but the whole house rose in honour of Manyuchi when the director of ceremonies Lovemore Banda announced his name.
It seemed like it was all coming for Manyuchi, as a week earlier, the organisers of the Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year awards, had also lined up the Zambia-based boxer as one of the specially invited guests at their glittering ceremony.
“Ndatosvikawo here malevels aana Benjani (Mwaruwari) naana Peter (Ndlovu); am I really the best sportsperson in the country? I can’t believe this is happening to me,” Manyuchi told his relatives, seated next to him as he rose to collect his award.
The camerapersons almost fell over each other as they jostled for a shot of the country’s best sportsperson of the moment, as Manyuchi received his award, a hug and a pat on the back from Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa.
“My main worry though is the prize money for this award. You know, this a big feat, an award that should be life-changing.
“Our sponsors are doing well, we salute them, but I think we should engage them again, possibly cajole them into increasing the sponsorship package.
“We would want a situation where our excelling sportspersons are rewarded meaningfully because when they compete internationally, they are not just doing for themselves, but will also be raising the country’s flag high in the process,” said Minister Langa.
Manyuchi reportedly walked away $2 000 richer, albeit in controversial circumstances, as the Sports Commission had earlier indicated that the Sportsperson of the Year would pocket $5 000.
But for Manyuchi, it was not a money issue, the mere realisation of his prolonged desire — recognition in his own country — sufficed.
“Sometimes it doesn’t matter if someone promises you a car and then gives you a bicycle instead. This award is the biggest sports honour in the land and to have it is quiet gratifying, honestly. I thought it would be Cara (Black) because of her renowned performances across the globe.
“This is good for boxing. Sometimes money is not all that we want, but just this award which shows that Zimbabwe has recognised my efforts is satisfactory,” said Manyuchi.
In a typical case of a great prophet who is not revered in his own homeland, Manyuchi’s exploits throughout the year and excited the Zambians more than the locals, probably because he fights in Lusaka where he is managed by Oriental Quarries.
When he defended his WBC International welterweight title in November after beating Colombian Devis Caceress by way of a knock-out in the second round, the Zambian Ministry of Sports offered Manyuchi a Zambian citizenship, a gesture the Zimbabwean pugilist bluntly declined.
“I will remain a Zimbabwean; I was born and bred in Masvingo, but am no longer that ordinary Charles from Gutu, but a Zimbabwean world champion.
“I will defend this belt at all costs and my hope is to one day fight in front of my own people here in Zimbabwe, but I know that is beyond my control,” he said.
Manyuchi shot to prominence in June last year, when he claimed the Africa Boxing Union title from defending champion Patrice Sou Toke of Burkina Faso with a fifth round knock-out.
He successfully defended the title on October 2013 against Isaac Sowah of Ghana to earn a shot at the WBC International title.
The 26-year-old Manyuchi made history in March this year when he outclassed the highly fancied Patrick Allotey of Ghana in Lusaka to land the WBC title.
WBC, the biggest boxing sanctioning body in the world, rates Manyuchi as the 30th best welterweight boxer in the world and recently, the Zimbabwean was installed as one of the eligible contenders for Floyd Mayweather’s world title, alongside Briton Amir Khan, who holds the WBC Silver belt.
Manyuchi’s Zambian manager Chris Malunga is currently attending the WBC 52nd Convention in Las Vegas, America where he is sourcing more prominent fights for Manyuchi.
