STAR athlete Gerren Muwishi believes Zimbabwe’s historic triumph at the African Senior Athletics Championships is proof that locally-based athletes can compete — and win — against the continent’s best.
Zimbabwe’s men’s 4x400m relay team of Dennis Hove, Leeford Zuze, Muwishi and Thandazani Ndlovu produced a stunning performance in Accra, Ghana, to clinch the country’s first-ever African title in the event.
The quartet clocked 3:01.11 in a dramatic final, finishing ahead of Kenya (3:01.34) and Morocco (3:01.35) in one of the closest races of the championships.
The team returned home on Tuesday to a hero’s welcome at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after Zimbabwe secured four medals at the continental showpiece.
The athletes were later honoured at a welcome dinner hosted by the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, attended by senior government officials and stakeholders.
For Muwishi, the gold medal was the result of growing belief and hard work within Zimbabwe’s domestic athletics structures.
“I guess local athletes have decided to show that we are also capable of doing great things,” Muwishi said.
“We have been putting in extra work and working together as teams, regardless of our different clubs, just so local athletes can push themselves higher.”
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The African title came weeks after Zimbabwe booked qualification for the World Championships at the World Relays, adding further weight to the team’s rise.
“The race was splendid. Me and the boys have had a long season, so it was just about coming here, enjoying the race and seeing where we could place ourselves on the podium,” he said.
“Fortunately, we won the race, so it is a great feeling for the boys.
“We are coming off qualification for the World Championships at the World Relays, so being crowned African champions in the 4x400m is a great moment and a huge boost going forward.
“We might not have gotten the time people wanted, but at the end of the day we were here to give the people a show, and most of the boys ran well.”
Muwishi said Zimbabwe entered the championships with only one target in mind.
“We definitely wanted the gold. Anything less would have been a disappointment,” he said.
The victory was made sweeter by finishing ahead of regional rivals Botswana, who placed fourth despite not fielding their strongest team.
“We obviously know it was not their best team, but they have been ahead of the guys before,” Muwishi said.
“Hopefully we will meet the big guys again and match up properly next time.”
Muwishi also praised the atmosphere in Accra, where Zimbabwe added another memorable chapter to its athletics history.
“It was great. We were here in 2024 for the African Games and now again for the African Senior Championships,” he said.
“The stadium was not as full, but the fans really created a great atmosphere.”
