LIFE AS A SPRINTER IN AFRICA ITAI VAMBE OF ZIMBABWE SHARES HIS JOURNEY

 Mr Pace Question and Answer Show

Presenter : Collen Makaza 

Guest : Itai Vambe 

Date : 3 June 2021

Time : 1800hrs to 2030hrs

Vunue : Chitungwiza, Harare, Zimbabwe

Contacts : +263 733 741 960 

Email : mrpacemakaza@gmail.com

*1Q- Welcome Mr Itai Vambe can you tell us about yourself, when and where were you born?*

1) I'm Itayi Vambe I was born on the 3rd of July in 1989. Making today my birthday☺... I was born at Edith Operman Maternity in Mbare.

*2Q- Where did you attend your primary, secondary schooling and in which years?

2) I attended my primary at Mabelreign ZRP and my secondary at Chindunduma High School where I finished my A levels in 2007.

*3.Q- Tell us how was performance in athletics during your primary and secondary levels?*

3) At Primary level I only started doing athletics in grade 7 where I excelled up to Nationals. In high school I focused more on handball and advanced as well up to national level. I did not focus much on athletics because of lack of exposure to running clubs. I believe there is talent out there in rural schools but due to lack of exposure that talent is never identified

*By that what needed to be done for talent identification and Development in rural schools?*

I think there is need for more investment in rural talent identification and outreach programs.

*4.Q- Do you still remember teacher or coach who identified your talent in athletics and how it started in athletics*

4) The person who identified my athletics talent was Coach Elijah Tapatapa from the University of Zimbabwe. I was playing rugby then he came to me and told me I could be a real gem if I shifted my focus to track and Field. I actually started focusing on track in my first year of university that's in 2010

*5.Q- What inspires you to be an athlete?*

5)My inspiration to be an athlete is to be the best version of myself. With hard work you know you will get to the top

*6.Q- Can you give us the names of your training partners and how did they contribute for you performance in sport?*

6)My training partners are Ngoni Makusha, Dicksson Kamungeremu and Tatenda Tsumba. These guys push me to be at my best because every training session they always bring their best

*Now you mentioned Makusha is going to Tokyo's Olympics, how are you feeling*

I'm really excited for Ngoni and I know he will not only surprise himself but the world at large. I also am happy because I know him being exposed to such level will benefit us as well his training partners.

*7.Q- What motivated you to take running as part of your life?*

7)Running to me is a lifestyle I don't really know what I would be doing if Im not doing track. To me running is about staying fit and it's therepautical as well

*8.Q- Name your first running club amd and currently club you running for now?*

8)my first running club was millennium sports club coached by Mr Amon Nyaundi. Now I'm being coach by Dumenzweni Dube of Equilibrium Fitness

*Equilibrium Fitnes is it a Zim club?*

Yes it's an upcoming all in one fitness hub not only does he assist in athletics performance but also in sporting performance and all round fitness

*9.Q- Do you ever compete at National youth games, Which years and how many medals you won?*

9)I never had the chance to compete at the National Youth games because in high school I was more into handball than athletics.

*10.Q- Do you ever represents Zimbabwe in any continental championships or World Championship?*

10)I have represented Zimbabwe twice at the World Student games, first in Shenzhen China in 2011 then in Kazan Russia in 2013 where I got to the semi finals. I have also had the chance to represent Zim at the World Relays in 2019 in Yokohama Japan and in Silesia Poland in 2021

*11.Q- At what age did you start professional running in your career as an athlete?*

11) I started running professionally a bit late at the age of 25 after university

*12.Q- Who was your best coach and manager in your career as an athlete?*

12) I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to be coached by some of the best coaches in the industry and these have contributed to who I am as an athlete so I will mention them all. Elijah Tapatapa, Amon Nyaundi, David Tinago, Keegan Cooke and Dumenzweni Dube

And Coach McGregor as well

*Any Manager?*

That has to be Nyasha from Kyros sport he assisted me for a bit

*13.Q- What is your best shoe brand as an athlete?*

13)My best shoe brand definitely has to be Nike, its a good performance brand

*15.Q- what was best times in the following events from: *100m* *200m* *400m?*

15)Im a 100m specialist and my best time is 10.4. The 200m and 400 I have run only hand time in 200m my PB is 20.56 seconds and 400m 48.78 seconds

*Do ever attempted to race 800m*

Never my lungs would collapse 🤣... That is a race for men the 800m

*14.Q- What was your best meals before and after the race?*

14)My best meal before a race definitely has to be oatmeal because it gives me sustained energy throughout the day. After the race it has to be chicken because of the high protein content it has which is good for recovery

*16.Q- What is your best and worst race in your career as an athlete?*

16)My best race I believe is yet to come as I feel there is still a lot I can get right. My worst race has to be all the races I was not first because for me it's all or nothing

*17.Q- Can you name your best track event of all time and why?*

17) Well for me naturally it's the 100m because of the technicalities behind it. If you get everything right you know you are guaranteed a fast time

*18.Q- What setbacks have you encountered in your career as an athlete?*

18) the setbacks I have encountered in my career has had to be because of injuries, the lack of finances to commit to races and lack of training facilities. These have been the major sticking points

*19.Q- During this lockdowns and Covid erra how did you manage to keep focused and fit?*

19) the Covid era has brought much challenges not just to me but to most athletes. It has required us to change tactics and we are still adjusting, this has impacted a lot on performance. I know though with time I will get the hang of it and get back to my best

*20.Q- Your words on age cheating, drug use in sport and corrupt officials.

*21.Q- Your motivational and encouragement words to the upcoming athletes?*

21) To the upcoming athletes I just want to say nothing is ever impossible as long as the mind can conceive it!

*22.Q- Your future plans in sport and thought of qualifying to Tokyo's Olympics?*

With the Corona virus im taking each day as it comes. However also trying to stay in Shape. Unfortunately for Tokyo I couldn't make it and have set my sights for next year's global and regional events, that's the World Championships amongst other events.

*23.Q- In brief tell us about your family and their support to your profession as sports person?*

23)I have a strong support structure when it comes to sport that's my family, friends, training partners and Coach. They always make sure Im where I'm supposed to be, at the right time and in the right state of mind!

The End 

FINITO