Sports Reporter
For rising marathon star Fortunate Chidzivo, the pride of representing Zimbabwe is a feeling woven into every stride of her training.
Chidzivo, a product of the renowned Mr Pace Academy, coached by Collen Makaza, was recently honored at a send-off alongside Wayne Kabondo on Tuesday in the capital.
She is set for the championship in Japan next month while Kabondo will be going to participate in Zambia.
“It’s always my pride to represent the nation, which I always do with joy,” said Chidzivo.
“When I’m training, I know I’m not just training for myself, but for the nation.”
This profound sense of purpose has already yielded spectacular results.
Chidzivo recently announced her arrival on the elite athletic scene with a stunning victory at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, one of Africa’s most prestigious road races.
It is in this vein that National Athletics Association Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president Tendai Tagara believes in homegrown talent.
“Our strength is our homegrown talent. That is our advantage, and that is what we want to see, more of our own athletes rising to the top.”
Sponsors including Zimpost Insurance, Nicoz Diamond, and Global Risk Underwriting Managers (GRUMA) have committed to monthly incentives for the athletes, believing in their potential to become full-time professionals.
Muvengwa Marumahoko, representing sponsors GRUMA and Nicoz Diamond, connected their support directly to creating sustainable pathways for athletes like Chidzivo.
“All we are doing is to try to help these athletes reach their highest potential and take them away from the streets,” he said.
“We are proud of their progress.”
“As a professional, you attract more sponsors,” Marumahoko added
