The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Every hour, somewhere in the world a potential sports star is born.
But to make it to the very top, something more than talent is needed. A sportsperson must have that “it” factor that separates them from the pack.
For Trinos Muradzikwa, that “it” is the sheer size of his heart and his ability to turn adversity into triumph.
Standing at just 1,5m tall, Muradzikwa does not look like your typical champion.
His decidedly un-imposing frame makes him easy to look over; a point that saw him being looked over by football scouts.
And so he turned to golf.
“Height and weight are of two of the most important things in sport,” said the 38-year-old last week.
“I have never been the tallest or biggest person in any room and … most people do not know that football is my first love. I played about 15 games for Arcadia United during their final season in the Premiership back in 2000.
“I even went as far as to go for trials at SuperSport United in South Africa and later received an invite to join Darryn T.
“Zimbabwean legend Bruce Grobbelaar is a golfing enthusiast and he helped facilitate my trials at SuperSport during the early 2000s. Wieslaw Grabowski invited me to join DT Africa United when he had just formed it and it was plying its trade in the lower division.
“Unfortunately, I did not match up to the required height and weight requirements for a defensive midfielder, and had to call quits on my football dream.”
Golf has been much kinder to him, though it has not been a stroll across the green.
“In golf, being short is an asset and not a liability; it’s generally believed that we are more accurate. When I hit the ball, my target is the marker. I don’t go for distance, I look for position,” said the Zimbabwean international golfer, who turned pro in 2005.
That accuracy was on display a fortnight ago, when he won the inaugural Malawi Open, finishing level par 288 to beat a competitive field that had seasoned golfers like favourite Dismas Indiza and Sujan Shah (both from Kenya) to pocket the US$6 375 purse.
Muradzikwa said, “Admittedly I did not play my best game and had a terrible third round, but discipline and sheer hard work pulled me through.
“I pride myself on having unquestionable discipline and dedication to my craft. I have never drank a sip of alcohol, smoked or done any drugs. My body is a temple and I put my heart and soul into my craft,” said the former Mbare High School pupil.
As the reigning Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association Player of the Year, Muradzikwa is a shoo-in to defend his title this year.
The Malawi Open victory made it six titles in 12 months.
