His accent is still very much Zimbabwean and he revealed to Standardsport that it is very important for him to keep his roots. Makusha who will be graduating on December 16, remains magnanimous and last week he wore a simple stripped t-shirt, khaki shorts and designer shoes from Li-ning, a Chinese sports manufacturer.
“I am a Zimbabwean and out there they know us as hard-working people. They appreciate us and that is one thing that I am proud of,” said the rather shy 24-year-old.
“I never thought I would reach this stage, but with God everything is possible. I turned professional and recently got a sponsorship with Chinese sport manufacturers Li-ning which is also home to Asafa Powel.
“Life is funny because I got my first pair of running shoes in 2006. I remember the days when we used to remove thorns from our feet at the end of races at Mandedza High School. In that regard, I have to stay focused,” said Makusha.
USA Education Advisor Rebecca Zeigler Mano chipped in saying, “We are always getting positive reports from American colleges about Zimbabwean kids out there. They are people who are academically driven and every college loves them,” she said.
Makusha, who is a national record holder in both the long jump and the 100m events and has already qualified for the London 2012 Olympics said his parents’ (Gertrude and Andrew) inculcated hardworking ethics in him and the sky is the limit.
“Growing up in Unit M, Chitungwiza was not easy. I, together with my siblings could only see my father for a few hours because of the nature of his job. My mother was a cross-border trader, but she made sure that she sent us to better schools.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“They instilled Christian values in us and up to now that is what we follow. That is why I will be flying them to the States to witness the graduation ceremony,” he said.
Makusha also spoke of his plans to give back to Mandedza High School. “It is unfortunate that there is no proper old boys association at the school. In this country we do not have that culture of giving back and we must inculcate it,” he said.
The man they know as “The Lion of Africa” back in the US also spoke glowingly about compatriot Ken Handern who coaches him at Florida State University.
“Coach Ken really likes working with Zimbabweans. He is always encouraging us together with Brian Dzingai. I am happy with what I have achieved through his teachings. Now my focus is on the Olympic Games in London,” he said.
Makusha who represented Zimbabwe at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China (2008) missed a bronze medal by a centimetre and his 7,34m record in national high schools is still to be beaten.
He is also the first Zimbabwean to get his badge to join the exclusive club of super athletes who run sub-10-second in the 100m sprint. Also in the US, Makusha recorded an astounding 9,89 seconds and 8,40m in 100m and long jump respectively to win gold at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) at Iowa in the US.
The feat saw Makusha becoming one of the only four athletes to win the double (100m & Long Jump) at the NCAA with the three others being DeHart Hubbard (1925), Jesse Owens (1935 and 1936) and Carl Lewis in 1981.
Upon being reminded of the Zimbabwean accent that he still possesses, the youngster who is still single said with a chuckle; “American girls love this accent and will keep it in order to get one.”
