WITH an astounding first-place finish in the boys’ 100 and 200 metres during the selection trials for the 2012 Zone Six Youth Games Knight Chilando was guaranteed of a place in the national team.
The sight of a tall, graceful and well built athlete that strives to race against time in triumph is one of the most captivating prospects in track and field.
In Zambia today, the thorough process of day-by-day individual and team growth in various sports disciplines has continued, even as the stakes get higher, athletes have become tougher, and more competitive than ever before.
The hosting of the Zone Six Youth Games in Lusaka brought to the fore the hidden potential gold medalists for the country who were shining lights in the brilliant Zambian colours at that feat.
One such revelation from the youth games was sprint runner Chilando. Though not gigantic as most runners appear, he has the loping, flexible style that is a rarity in upcoming sprinters.
Aspiring higher in sport at a younger age means one needs to get all the learning experiences done and Chilando is a natural runner who has all the characteristics needed for one to shine.
To sprint fanatics, there is always something mesmerising about watching Chilando swinging in action during competitions. His quick feet and lightning pace drive the crowds in chants for him especially when crosses the finishing line first.
Even though he has only a passing resemblance to the fastest man on the planet Usain Bolt, his antics on the tracks are amazing as he possesses a natural talent and lionhearted will-to-win.
Four years down the line since this teenager who turns 19 in June stormed the world of athletics, he has transformed into a very tough competitor and in most cases; he is very seldom beaten whenever he is ahead of others in a race.
While not expected to be a podium threat this early, Chilando has torched the majority of mostly sprinters above his age. He is really among the most promising future stars that Zambia should bank on.
Chilando’s race to stardom began in 2010 at St Clements Secondary School in Mansa, the administrative capital of Luapula Province where he was a dependable sprinter during inter-house and inter-schools competitions.
His proficiency on the tracks was quickly spotted at the 2011 inter-provincial schools athletics championships and the following year, he was part of team Zambia at the Zone Six games in Lusaka.
In his thinking, taking part in the schools’ competitions was just a stepping stone to achieving his yet to be realised dream of representing Zambia at the Olympics. He believes that the commitment and passion he has shown for the sport over the years must culminate in an Olympic gold medal for Zambia someday.
Now competing under the auspices of the Zambia Army outfit, Green Buffalos in Lusaka, Chilando has set the stakes higher and his quest for real glory has just began.
“Competing with seniors is a really good experience. It gives me time to get used to the environment so when I’m older and aiming for the podium finish I have already got the experience underway so I can concentrate on going for a medal,” he says.
With the hype starting to build ahead of the forthcoming Junior Olympics slated for Nanjing in China this August, Chilando does not feel under pressure to make his Olympic debut yet.
He has set his eyes on the future Olympics and that his pressure at the moment is to get adequate preparations and more international exposure before showing his face at the Olympics.
His ultimate target is to work towards outclassing the achievements of the great runners that Zambia has produced in the likes of United States based sprinter Gerard Phiri.
Yet while most teenagers would shy away from such a challenge, Chilando is happy for his competitors to be aware of his prowess.
Born on June 16 1995, Chilando was bred in Zambia’s tranquil region of Luapula. The first son of Mary Chenga, a prolific netball player during her hey-days, shares a special sporting bond with his mother although he chose to take the route of track and field.
Following in the footsteps of his former house captain at St Clements Parkson Kalanga, who was a spectacular athlete in his own right, Chilando wants to become a world class sprinter like his role model Bolt of Jamaica whom he idolises.
At first, one would think the 19-year old is on the list of the best runners in the country but if you’ve ever seen him race, then you might hold your tongue.
He may not be an all-star sprinter at the moment, but he is definitely a sprint-winner other competitors cannot take lightly.
Indeed, Zambia has an Oasis of sporting talent and the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) must widen the spectrum of choice for athletes in the national teams.
Chilando is one of the many youngsters in the country that are aspiring to rise above their challenges and fly the Zambia’s flag higher with the spirit of triumph.
By 2016 and beyond, Chilando will be a double-edged sword for Zambia and after seeing what he is capable of when in action, there’s no reason to believe he won’t reach his potential.
Off the sporting field, the teenager, who completed his secondary school, last year, wants to pursue a professional career in Environmental Education at the University of Zambia this year.
“I will be going to school this October to study a degree in Environment Education but my childhood dream of becoming a Medical Doctor in the Military still remains alive and I hope to achieve this dream one day,” he says, “My passion and love for sprinting will never diminish until I achieve the best for this country.”
The greatest ingredient that is a driving force in his quest for success is his infinite potential and the winning mentality. With this in the minds of young athletes, truly, Zambia is moving closer to the podium victory for Olympic gold medal.
Chilando is one of the emerging sprinting maestros and once he develops his skills into a consistent sprinter, he will become an unstoppable force. For now, the sky is a limit.
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