Sports
Victoria Falls’ young chess duo shines at major tournament
BY NOTHANDO DUBE
Victoria Falls chess sensation Andile Cornelius Mpofu continues to shine after managing another second place finish at a major event inside a month.
The seven year-old Mpofu, who last month came second at the Olympiad Chess Tournament held in in Harare, achieved the same feat when he took part at the Candidates Chess Tournament hosted by Bulawayo recently.
Emmanuel Zivambiso, another seven year-old from Victoria Falls, also came third in the under eight category.
Mpofu and Zivambiso are learners at Jacaranda Montessori and are part of the Ally Chess Academy, which is based in the city.
For Zivambiso, it was a first top finish at a major tournament.
The two young players and their coach responded to an invitation for the CABS Candidates Chess Tournament held at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), which began on Sunday for the primary section.
Round one pairing was announced and Mpofu sat on the black side against Thamsanqa Moyo (14) from Bulawayo where fear intimidated him into a quick loss, according to his coach Alpha Mathe.
Zivambiso played white against Lyla Khumalo (14) also from Bulawayo, but made a great opening and ran for the checkmate early.
He went to record a win in the first round.
The round two pairings saw Mpofu sitting again against a Harare seniors champion aged 13 and he lost again.
“At this point I was also getting disturbed and Andile was upset,” Mathe said.
Zivambiso recorded another victory against a member of the Bulawayo team.
After round four, he had recorded two wins and two losses.
In the next round, Mpofu was paired with Emmanuella Maphosa from Harare where he walked away with a win, gaining momentum which saw him again winning against another competitor from Harare in round four.
In the fifth round, he was paired with Kwekwe’s best player in a game that seemed intense, but he pulled some great moves.
“Andile played while standing throughout the game and he played faster than his opponent,” Mathe said.
“He sealed his win by trading a queen for a checkmate, which was a huge surprise to me.”
In the end, he walked out of the tournament with five wins out of the seven rounds played.
“Teamwork was the key factor for the victory of the two young boys.
“They pulled a great teamwork together, analysing opponent games in between rounds,” Mathe said.
“Between the rounds, they would get a board and analyse their opponents’ games and that made it easy for Emmanuel to win against players, who had played Andile because they would analyse the opponents’ tactics before building.
“Initially, I tried to lodge a complaint concerning the pairing, which was not successful, but after the victory, I concluded that age does not matter, but exposure does.”
The tournament was Zivambiso’s second after he had previously played at the UMdala Wethu Memorial Chess event hosted by Hwange’s Thomas Coulter School where he attained an eighth place finish in the under nine section.
For Mathe, the goal is to participate even in international events.
Mpofu and Zivambiso are preparing for the forthcoming Mutare Grand Prix Chess tournament and they are appealing for resources to cover their travel and accommodation expenses.
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.
Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on
The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.
Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.
Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.
In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.
Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.
In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.
The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.
Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.
Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.
https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46
Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.
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