Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo: An Inspiring Journey in Sports...

Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo: An Inspiring Journey in Sports and Life

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo, 25, is a multi-talented athlete from Waterfalls, Harare, whose journey to sports excellence is as inspiring as it is unique. Currently playing rugby for Harare Sports Club and handball for City Stars, Ruvimbo’s story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and a love for the game.

Growing up, Ruvimbo didn’t see herself as an athlete until she watched her older sister play basketball. “You know how little sisters imitate their older siblings,” she recalls with a laugh. “I joined my primary school’s basketball team to create that bond with her and share stories.”

However, sports took a backseat during her Grade 7 exams. Her grandmother and mother urged her to focus on her studies, worried that the daily walk from the courts to home would leave her too exhausted to prepare for her finals.

Ruvimbo’s fascination with rugby began long before she picked up the sport. “There was this guy near my house who played rugby,” she says, laughing as she recalls admiring the sport from afar. Unfortunately, rugby wasn’t offered at her school, and she had to settle for watching the boys train.

In high school, she continued playing basketball but kept her dream of playing rugby alive. Her chance finally came during her A-level years. Despite the challenge of transitioning to such a physical sport, she embraced it with determination. “I was fast, but I had no skill,” she admits. “I had to train hard and sacrifice a lot of time to sharpen my skills. With God’s grace, I made the cut into the National Team.”

Coming from an athletic family made it easier for Ruvimbo to transition between sports. “Switching from handball to rugby wasn’t too difficult,” she explains, crediting her coaches, Innocent Kanosvova, Clement Kufeketa, and the late Coach Onai Mpozori, for refining her abilities. Their guidance helped her become the versatile athlete she is today.

Her dedication to training is unmatched. “I enjoy training a lot—I can’t wait for training days to come so I can sweat out all the life stresses and obstacles,” she says with a smile.

When Ruvimbo made it into the National Rugby Team shortly after starting the sport, her family was stunned. “My parents couldn’t believe it,” she says.

“They even asked if I’d stopped playing handball and basketball!” Her father congratulated her with laughter, while her mother couldn’t stop bragging. “She’s the happiest and proudest mom ever,” Ruvimbo says fondly. Her siblings now refer to her as “the Athletic Chemist of the house.”

One of her proudest moments came after recovering from an injury and joining Harare Sports Club. On her debut game, she scored an impressive four tries, leading her team to the league finals, where they finished as runners-up. “It was the best game ever,” she recalls.

Ruvimbo’s journey has been full of challenges and triumphs, and she is passionate about inspiring the next generation. To young ladies aspiring to succeed in sports, she offers these words of encouragement: “Never give up. Keep your head high and focus on the goal, which is to make history and break records. Whenever you feel the pressure, take deep breaths and keep soaring. The journey is not just to reach the stars but to go beyond them.”

She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, both psychological and physical, and reminds young athletes to stay humble. “You are the future. Set the pace for those coming after you, and doors will open for you.”

For Ruvimbo, sports is more than a career—it’s a way of life. “I can’t say much about my personal life because my life is mainly on the park and court,” she shares. These places have become her home, a sanctuary where she thrives and finds purpose.