Sports Writer
Lynell Howera is an athletics and academics gem who hails from Glen Norah A suburb in Harare.Despite of him just aged 21 years old, the young man has great futuristic ambitions.
His story boarders along passion and the zeal to overcome challenges at all costs.In this endeavor, he has the ambitions to excell in athletics and the academic fields.
The Blast Sports had an interview with the young man who is bubbling with confidence and is full of conviction that soon he will be come a national icon.
“I did my primary school education at Kundai primary school in Glen Norah A suburb, O levels at Glen Norah High 2 and A levels at Glenview High 2,” he said.
“During my primary school years it was just passion only and was inspired by the likes of the legendary Usain Bolt whom I watched at television.During my primary school at Kundai I started running for fun and passion.But interestingly, I participated at Inter Schools athletics competition at Frank Johnson primary school in 2016 where I came third in 100 meters hurdles.Unfortunately I could not participate further as I didn’t qualify to the next level.”
At secondary school at Glen Norah High 2, Howera was affected by COVID-19.
“At Glen Norah High 2 the passion was within me and I participated in interhouse competitions but there were better runners than me.While I was in form 3 to form 4, we were affected by COVID-19 and that meant a suspension of athletics events.
While at A level (form 5) at Glenview High 2, I realized that there was an active Athletics club .During that moment, I just envied club members and I didn’t believe that I could be like them as they were well trained.
But one day I was invited for training but a girl who was in our stream at school, Loisle Murambiti who was a long distance runner and is now based in USA inspired me.
“From that point onwards I felt the zeal to participate in inter schools competitions but could not due to a nagging injury.”
Howera said he did not give up.
“In 2024, I trained under coach Mavhuto under Yadah Athletics club since the schools competitions were over.
An opening came later when I was supposed to pick up my young brother from Mbare who was coming from Honde Valley.
I decided to run from Glen Norah A suburb to Mbare and told myself that If I fail on the way would board a kombi.I later discovered that I could run.I then became to do self 10 km trainings during the morning and evenings.”
His achievements so far:
I have participated in 9 national competitions so far…among them, Victoria Falls Half Marathon, Heroes Marathon, ZPCS Commissioner General Goodwill half marathon, Sunshine city, Old Mutual 10 km race, Vumba Marathon run, Needbank, Zuva Half Marathon, Econet Harare to Victoria Falls Econet run where I did a 25 kilometers run from Norton to Halfway.
I have won two races in competitive runs…Zuva half marathon and the recently held St Francis Xavier half marathon.”
His Pans:
“I have plan to excel academically…to join the Mechanics and Aviation industry and to excell internationally in 1 500 to 3000 meters races.”