ZIMBABWE is aiming for a podium finish at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, which will run from September 13 to 21, 2025.
The nation’s top athletes, including Olympic finalists and seasoned marathon runners, are in final preparations for the event.
In an exclusive interview with NewsDay Sport, Lisimathi Phakamile, the director of coaching for the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ), provided insight into the probable team.
World Athletics has already confirmed the participation of marathon runners Isaac Mpofu, Tendai Zimuto and Fortunate Chidzivo, along with Olympic finalists Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba.
“We have others on standby that we are yet to confirm for qualification by the end of this month,” Phakamile said.
“We expect them to be officially announced and confirmed by World Athletics.
“They are Chengetai Mapaya, Ashley Miller, and David Nyamufurira. That’s how our probable list is currently looking.”
While NAAZ plans to release the full list of athletes on August 31, preparations are already well underway.
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“We have three athletes who are local — the marathon team,” Phakamile explained.
“They have been in camp with Coach Chawuke for a very long period and are still there now, working on tapering and getting ready for their race on September 13 and 14.
“With less than a month to go, the guys are in good shape, injury-free, and ready to go.”
NAAZ is confident in its team’s potential to break personal and national records and even secure a medal.
“We are expecting a podium performance from the senior athlete, Isaac [Mpofu],” Phakamile stated.
“We also have Makarawu and Charamba, the Olympic finalists. We are looking at them repeating their feat of reaching the finals."
“With the quality of training these guys have been going through with their personal coaches, we are expecting at least a podium performance from these top athletes. That’s what we are looking for as a nation.”
Zimbabwe’s best result at the World Athletics Championships was a 10th-place finish by Mpofu in the men’s marathon at the 2022 championships in Oregon, the United States.
