Kudakwashe Chadenga: High Jump Sensation on the Ri...

Kudakwashe Chadenga: High Jump Sensation on the Rise

Patience Muchemwa- Senior Reporter

Kudakwashe Chadenga, a promising high jumper from Harare, Zimbabwe, has quickly emerged as one of the country’s top athletics talents.

His journey in high jump began at Prince Edward School, where he first tried the sport in Form 1, though it wasn’t until Form 4 that he truly developed a passion for it.

“I started falling in love with the sport in Form 4. That’s when I began winning, and the progress I was making surprised me,” he recalls.

Before embracing high jump, Chadenga was a sprinter during his primary school years at David Livingstone Primary School. However, he soon realized that sprinting wasn’t his strength.

“The uncomfortable reality hit me—I wasn’t as fast as I thought. That’s when I switched focus to high jump,” he explains.

Chadenga’s introduction to high jump was influenced by his older brother, Munyaradzi Chadenga, who not only introduced him to the sport but also coached him for five years throughout his high school years. He draws further inspiration from global athletic icons like Usain Bolt, LeBron James, Mike Tyson, and Mutaz Barshim, who have shaped his ambitions and drive.

Currently, Chadenga trains at Louisiana State University, where he competes at an elite level among some of the world’s best athletes. He acknowledges the impact of this competitive environment on his growth. “Training at LSU has helped me immensely because I’m surrounded by the best. The environment pushes me to constantly improve,” he says.

Competing in the United States has also sharpened his edge. “The competition here is tough, and I don’t have to go searching for it—it’s always around me. Competing against top athletes week in and week out keeps me on my toes,” he adds.

Despite his success, Chadenga highlights the struggles faced by Zimbabwean athletes, particularly the lack of consistent support from the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe.

“The biggest challenge for me and many of my fellow athletes is that we aren’t supported consistently by NAAZ or other committees. They mainly reach out when we’ve achieved something significant,” he notes.

Chadenga also feels that Zimbabwean athletes often go unnoticed. “We don’t receive the recognition we deserve. More attention needs to be given to athletes who are working hard to represent the country internationally,” he states.

A major milestone in Chadenga’s career came when he broke the Zimbabwean high jump record—twice. Reflecting on this achievement, he says, “My most memorable moment was breaking the Zimbabwean record two years ago. I broke it twice, and I had to remind myself how long it had taken for others to do the same. It felt like the record had been waiting for me.”

Chadenga believes Zimbabwean athletics can improve significantly, particularly in areas like talent scouting and infrastructure development. “There’s a lot of room for improvement. We need better systems to scout talented young athletes and help them reach their potential,” he says.

He also emphasizes the importance of government support in upgrading sports facilities, particularly tracks, to allow athletes to train and compete at international standards. “Improving tracks and providing better equipment is crucial to avoid injuries and to help athletes perform at their best,” he stresses.

Looking ahead, Chadenga is determined to turn his aspirations into reality. “My goal is to become a professional high jumper and to compete on the international stage, bringing home a medal,” he declares.

With his dedication, strong work ethic, and the world-class training environment at LSU, Chadenga is well on his way to achieving his dreams. As he continues to represent Zimbabwe internationally, he hopes to inspire young athletes back home to push beyond their limits and aim for greatness.

His advice to aspiring athletes is simple yet powerful: “Keep working hard, listen to your coaches, and remember—the results you achieve in training will determine how badly you want success. Lastly, no one is above the system.”