As the sun set over the Atlantic coastline of Luanda this Saturday, the Zimbabwean flag flew high, marking a triumphant day for the nation’s youth. With a surge of podium finishes in cycling, swimming, and athletics, Team Zimbabwe has officially increased its medal haul to 10 at the 2025 African Youth Games.
The day’s standout performance came from the asphalt, where cyclist Rohnan Nicholson secured a hard-fought silver medal in the individual time trial. In a display of sheer endurance and technical precision, Nicholson crossed the finish line in 17 minutes 20.45 seconds narrowly missing the gold by a heartbreaking yet impressive seven-second margin.
Zimbabwe’s versatility was on full display as the momentum shifted from the roads to the swimming arena and the athletics track:
In the Pool: Alexis Johnson continues to be a force of nature. She claimed her second bronze medal of the games, finishing third in a competitive girls’ 200-metre freestyle final.
On the Track: Hurdler Tariro William added to the tally with a bronze in the girls’ 100-metre hurdles, proving Zimbabwe's growing depth in technical sprint events.
Related Stories
While medals were being minted on Saturday, Zimbabwe’s golfers were busy laying the groundwork for a Sunday "Gold Rush."
Miriam Masiya has been the talk of the tournament. Competing in the girls’ 54-hole stroke play, Masiya has not just led; she has dominated. Heading into the final round tomorrow, she holds a staggering 11-shot lead, making her the heavy favorite to stand atop the podium.
The boys’ team is also firmly in the hunt, currently sitting in a podium position and trailing leaders Namibia by just three shots. With one round to play, the prospect of a double-gold in golf remains a distinct possibility.
Beyond the immediate glory of the podium, these games carry a heavier weight. The Luanda 2025 African Youth Games serve as a critical qualification pathway for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
"These results are a testament to our grassroots development," said one team official. "To see our athletes competitive in such a wide range of disciplines from the technicality of golf to the grit of cycling shows that Zimbabwe is a rising power in continental youth sport."
Leave Comments