Beyond Medals: How Zim’s Gen Z Athletes Are Redefi...

Beyond Medals: How Zim’s Gen Z Athletes Are Redefining Sport

Patience Muchemwa- Senior Reporter

At the National Sports Stadium in Harare, sprinter Gerren Muwishi bends down to lace his spikes.

The crowd expects speed, but his thoughts linger on something else—the weight of performance.

“A bad race can affect life off the track too,” he says. For Muwishi and many of Zimbabwe’s Gen Z athletes, sport is no longer just about medals. It is about balance, mental health, and impact beyond the scoreboard.

For generations, Zimbabwean sport glorified grit, sacrifice, and podium finishes. Now, a quiet revolution is underway, led by young athletes who are reshaping the very meaning of competition.

More Than the Scoreboard

Tanyaradzwa “Tanya” Muzinda, Africa’s first female motocross champion, is a striking example. She has shattered racing records, but her influence extends beyond the track. In Harare, she has funded schooling for more than 100 children, proving that sporting success can ripple into society.

Like Muzinda, Muwishi views sport as more than a pursuit of medals. For him, speaking about pressure and prioritizing mental health is as important as breaking records.

Together, these athletes symbolize a shift in values—victory still matters, but not at the expense of health or humanity.

Mental Health Front and Center

In Zimbabwe, the conversation around mental well-being in sport has long been muted.

That is changing. A 2023 UNICEF report revealed that more than 10% of Zimbabwean adolescents experience depression or anxiety, often tied to school and performance pressures—including sport.

Sports psychologist Violet Mawakise, who works with teams in Harare, says: “For too long, we have treated athletes as machines. But athletes are human first. If we don’t create space to talk about pressure, identity, and fear of failure, we will continue losing talent to burnout. Mental health is performance.”

The shift is visible in the struggles of elite athletes. Long-distance runner Rutendo Nyahora admitted that online criticism after she withdrew from the Olympic marathon left her battling depression and questioning her place in sport.

Her story has sparked wider discussions about athlete well-being in Zimbabwe, especially in the unforgiving age of social media.

A Coach’s Perspective

For coaches, this change requires rethinking long-held methods. Percy Ngwenya, a former 400m sprinter from Gaths Mine and now a coach at Great Zimbabwe University, reflects:

“When I was running, it was all about pushing through pain and sacrifice. Now, with my students, I know that if I ignore their mental state, I risk losing them to burnout. Balance is as important as speed. Sometimes, the best training I can give is telling an athlete to rest.”

Parents, too, are adjusting to the new athlete mindset. Mr. Mandizha, whose daughter plays rugby for a local club, admits it has been a learning curve:

“When I first saw her play, I wanted her to toughen up and fight for every ball. That’s how we were raised. But she started talking about needing balance, about how rugby makes her happy but also drains her mentally.

At first I thought she was making excuses. Then I realized if I don’t listen, I could lose her to something worse than losing a game. Now, I focus on supporting her joy, not just the results.”

Redefining Success

Taking time off or walking away from competition is no longer seen as weakness. Many Gen Z athletes are reframing success as balance—pursuing school, careers, and sport on their own terms.

Ian Gono, a young handball player, credits his family’s support in changing schools for enabling him to excel both academically and athletically. His journey underscores a new understanding: in Zimbabwe today, sporting excellence is celebrated, but thriving beyond the field is just as important.

The Digital Playing Field

Social media has accelerated this cultural shift. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow athletes to share unfiltered experiences, connect with fans, and advocate for causes.

Muzinda, for example, uses her platforms to highlight both racing milestones and her mentorship initiatives. Her authenticity resonates more than polished speeches and shows that impact off the track can be as influential as victory on it.

But digital exposure also comes with risks. As Nyahora’s story shows, online criticism can devastate an athlete’s mental health—making resilience, community, and institutional support more crucial than ever.

The Future of Sport in Zimbabwe

As coaches, parents, and institutions adapt, Zimbabwe’s Gen Z athletes are proving that competition can coexist with well-being, education, and social responsibility. They still strive for victory, but not at the cost of their health or values.

Back at the National Sports Stadium, Muwishi reflects after a race: “I want to run fast, yes. But I also want to be happy, healthy, and make a difference.”

In that sentiment lies the quiet revolution—sport that shapes not only champions, but whole people, stronger families, and communities ready to cheer a new kind of victory.