IN a determined bid to retain her crown, Wheelchair Marathon hotshot Stellah Jongwe is gearing up for the weekend’s Tanganda Half Marathon.
The gruelling 21km race, scheduled for 25 June at Mutare Sports Club, is sponsored by Tanganda Tea Company Limited, Zimbabwe’s largest tea producer and distributor.
Jongwe, whose eyes are firmly set on the prize, aims to replicate her earlier victory at the CBZ Marathon in March. The Tanganda Half Marathon will be a familiar race track, as Jongwe triumphantly clinched the title last year, beating seasoned veterans Thandiwe Ndhlovu and Margaret Bangajena.
Speaking on her training and race plans, her manager Humphrey Vambe noted that the Tanganda Half Marathon, along with the Victoria Falls Marathon, will serve as preparatory grounds for Jongwe’s participation in Japan’s Oita Marathon and the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
“Stellah will be using Tanganda and Vic Falls Marathons to get herself in shape. She has consistently proven herself as the best female wheelchair Marathon racer in Zimbabwe,” Vambe told EnterSportNews.
“Our ultimate goal is to see her participate in the international races. However, for that to happen, she needs a customised wheelchair, and we’ve been actively seeking sponsorship since last year to turn this dream into a reality.”
Vambe voiced his concerns regarding the challenges of securing sponsorship but expressed his hope for the future.
“So far, our calls for assistance have fallen on deaf ears, but we continue to hold onto hope. This is not just about a race, and it’s about making a Girl Child’s dream come true,” he added.
On the horizon for Jongwe are the All-Africa Games next March, where her manager is confident she can garner some medals and qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. “I am optimistic that Stellah will make us all proud at the All-Africa Games and secure her spot at the Paralympics. She is more than a marathon racer. She’s a symbol of resilience and determination,” he concluded.
As Jongwe prepares to take on the Tanganda Half Marathon, her story serves as a reminder of the relentless spirit of athletes who, against all odds, strive for their dreams and the glory of their nation.
