In the world of competitive swimming, some athletes dive into the water, but others—like 10-year-old Unashe Shoko—simply own it.
At an age when most children are still finding their footing in sports, the Eaglesvale Preparatory School Grade 5 scholar has already established himself as a generational talent, turning every pool he enters into a personal gold mine.
Two weeks ago, at the Zimbabwe Junior Championships held in Mutare (January 30-February 1, 2026), Unashe didn’t just compete; he redefined dominance. The young sensation pulled off a staggering 14-gold-medal haul, earning the title of Under 10 National Champion and the overall aggregate winner.
His individual performance was a flawless clean sweep, securing gold in the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle; 50m and 100m backstroke; 50m and 100m butterfly; 50m breaststroke; and the gruelling 200m Individual Medley (IM). Not content with just his age group, Unashe stepped up to the Under 12 category, powering his teams to five additional gold medals in the 200m and 400m relays.
Unashe’s journey began long before the bright lights of national championships. According to his father, Persy Shoko, the water has been Unashe’s second home since he was a toddler.
"Unashe started swimming at two years of age. At four, he could do all strokes. We introduced him to competitive swimming at four," Persy revealed. "We introduced them to the pool essentially to learn life skills, only to realise he is loving it and doing exceptionally well."
While talent is innate, the spark of competition came from home. Persy attributes much of Unashe’s drive to his elder brother, Mukundi.
"Unashe wanted to do exactly like his brother," he noted, adding that the swimming legacy continues with their five-year-old sister, Manatsa, who joins the competitive ranks next season.
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The young star’s momentum is relentless. Following a dominant showing at the Harare Provincial Championships late last year—where he won all eight of his races—he recently swept the boards again at the Provincial Junior Champs on February 7-8.
Now, the horizon is expanding. In March, Unashe will take his talents across the border to compete in South Africa under the Harare Amateur Swimming banner. For the Shoko family, this is just the beginning of a larger dream.
"We definitely are looking forward to getting to the world stage. Not to put any pressure on him, but rather remain consistent and put in the work," Persy said. "We are aiming for the world stage. We will do our part, put the work, discipline, commitment, and consistency."
Despite the "swimming sensation" tag, Unashe remains a versatile 10-year-old. He excels in rugby, cricket, and field events, all while maintaining high standards in his schoolwork at Eaglesvale.
"As a father, one can only be grateful to be a parent of such a talented individual," Persy reflected. "In my view, all things are possible if we put in the work. He loves what he does... and we are grateful for the structures around us like Zim Aquatics, Zim Swimming ,Harare Armature Swimming and his coaches who have put in a lot of work."
With a haul of 14 gold medals and a ticket to South Africa, Unashe Shoko isn't just a name to watch — he is the future of Zimbabwean swimming, proving one stroke at a time that he is destined for the global spotlight.
