IRVING, Texas — Behind his world-leading triple jump mark, Chengetayi Mapaya earned his second Big 12 Athlete of the Week honour in two weeks.
Mapaya’s mark of 16.80m is currently the No. 1 triple jump mark in the world. He won his second triple jump event in two weeks and preserved his No. 1 mark in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that he achieved last week at the Texas Tech Open & Multis (16.48m, 54′ – 1.0″).
The Harare, Zimbabwe native returns this season to defend his national title in the outdoor triple jump from 2019. Last season, he soared to a silver medal as he finished second at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships with a mark of 16.95m (55′ – 7.5″).
As a freshman in 2018, Mapaya reached the championship in the triple jump and finished third with a 16.38m (53′ – 9.0″) jump.
Mapaya secured the 2019 outdoor national championship in the most dramatic fashion possible. Going into his sixth and final jump of the night, Mapaya was in third place after a jump of 16.94m (55′ – 7.0″) in his fifth attempt. On the final jump of the competition, Mapaya jumped 17.13m (56′ – 2.5″) passing up event leader Jordan Scott of Virginia (17.01m, 55′ – 9.75″) and winning the national championship. It was TCU’s first national title in track and field since Ronnie Baker won the 60m dash in 2016.
He broke the school record in the triple jump at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships with a mark of 16.95m (55′ – 7.5″). He currently holds both the indoor and outdoor TCU triple jump records. — gofrogs.com
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