Zim 4x400m Relay Team Qualifies for World Relays

Patience Muchemwa- Senior Reporter

The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee has officially confirmed that the country’s men’s 4x400m relay team will be competing at the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China — a crucial qualifying event for the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Olympic Games.

The confirmation comes after the team’s impressive performance at the Lefika Relays in Botswana on March 29, where they clocked a time of 3:03.39 in the final. The victory not only secured them first place but also catapulted their global ranking from 36th to 28th, placing them comfortably within the top 32 teams eligible for the prestigious event.

The relay squad features Dennis Hove, Gerren Muwishi, Leeford Zuze, and Aldren Tafa — all of whom have been in top form during the qualifying season. ZOC shared the news with excitement on their social media platforms, posting: “It’s official! Team Zimbabwe is heading to Guangzhou, China!”

In a statement, ZOC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the team, saying it would provide all necessary resources, technical expertise, and preparations to ensure a strong showing on the world stage.

National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara praised the athletes for their dedication and discipline.

“This qualification shows the growth of athletics in Zimbabwe. These young men have shown that with proper planning, training, and unity, we can compete at the highest levels. We are proud of them and grateful to ZOC for the support,” said Tagara.

Sprinter Dennis Hove underscored the importance of ongoing preparation:
“Preparation has been great. It's obviously ongoing. We have a lot to do if we are going to be on stage with the best of the best in the world. I have faith that my coach and my teammates will do the best they can to ensure that we move from China to Tokyo, Japan later in the year.”

Teammate Aldren Tafa echoed the sentiment, adding:
“This isn’t just a win for us as athletes — it’s a win for Zimbabwe. The hard work is far from over, but qualifying in first place gives us that extra push to train harder and dream bigger.”

The World Athletics Relays are scheduled for May 4–5 in Guangzhou, and the team will now shift focus to fine-tuning their performance as they aim for Olympic qualification and national pride.