Mapaya soars to NCAA triple jump title, qualifies for World Athletics Championships

Zimbabwean triple jump star Chengetayi “Du” Mapaya capped off a memorable collegiate career with Texas Christian University in style after capturing NCAA Outdoor Championships’ triple jump crown in Eugene, Oregon on Friday night.

Mapaya, who captured the triple jump crown in 2019 in Austin, Texas, produced the defining jump on his third attempt when he leapt 17.26m to break his own school record and recording a lifetime best.

His championship-winning jump puts him at No. 4 in the world this season. His previous personal-best jump of 17.13m (56-2.50) is the mark that won him the title in 2019.

More importantly, the winning leap meant he qualified for the World Athletics Championships 2022 starting on July 15 at Eugene in Oregon, USA. The qualifying mark in the triple jump for the World Athletics Championship is 17.14m.

Qualifying for the world championships caps off a memorable comeback for Mapaya, who suffered a serious injury during last year’s NCAA Outdoor Championships which ended his hopes of competing at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“That’s what it’s about, I hope I’ve inspired some people who have seen my journey. I think I did a great job to come back and win it with a new personal best and qualify for the World Championships,” the 23-year-old said after his victory.

Mapaya, who is expected to turn professional, said he is delighted to have capped off his collegiate career with a victory.

“It’s just an amazing story for me and I’m very thankful for this journey. It is my last time jumping at TCU and this has been a long journey, all the injuries and everything and trying to stay on course to become good… I’m enjoying myself now, this is great,” he said.

Earlier this season, Mapaya won his third consecutive Big 12 Outdoor Triple Jump Championship and his fifth conference title overall. The senior leaves TCU as a nine-time All-American.

Yeah…that just happened 😤#GoFrogs | #NCAATF | @du_airlines pic.twitter.com/2fKXSD75LM

— TCU Track & Field (@TCUTrackField) June 11, 2022