Staff Reporter
Victoria Falls—Zimbabwe will compete in the upcoming 2026 World Rafting Cup Series, joining elite athletes from across the globe in a prestigious competition spanning four continents.
Organised by the World Rafting Federation (WRF), the series showcases the skill, endurance, and teamwork of whitewater athletes navigating some of the world’s most demanding rivers.
Representing the country at the Sagana event is a four-man squad of team leader Philani Moyo, Mathe Nalishebo, Kingleon Moyo, and Liberty Moyo. The event marks a historic first for Zimbabwe, as it is the first time a national team will compete in the series under Philani Moyo.
The athletes are taking part entirely voluntarily and have undertaken an ambitious overland journey from Victoria Falls to Kenya to reach the venue. Despite the demanding travel, the squad says it is fully prepared and eager to get in the water.
“The team is absolutely raring to go,” said team leader Philani Moyo. “This is our first time leading the squad into this series, so there’s a real sense of history in the making. We have trained hard, we are mentally prepared, and we are incredibly proud to represent Zimbabwe on the global stage.”
The team’s participation reflects Zimbabwe’s growing profile in adventure sports, building on the country’s long-standing reputation for world-class rafting along the Zambezi River, one of the most iconic and technically demanding rafting destinations anywhere. As first-time competitors under new leadership, the squad is expected to bring both skill and determination to the continental stage as they take on some of Africa’s strongest teams.
The 2026 World Rafting Cup Series comprises four stops on the global calendar: Pau, France (April 21–25); Val di Sole, Italy (June 23–28); Sagana, Kenya (July 6–13), which doubles as the African Rafting Championships; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (November 18–22).
The Sagana leg, staged on Kenya’s Tana River, carries particular weight for Zimbabwe as the designated African Rafting Championships. Competitors will face off across three technical disciplines — Sprint, Raft Cross, and Slalom — spanning categories that include Senior Men, Women, Mixed, and Para-rafting.
With the Sagana event just days away, anticipation is building for a week of closely fought races and high-stakes technical runs. Making their debut on this stage, Zimbabwe’s athletes will be competing not only for continental honors but also for points toward the overall World Cup standings, ahead of the series finale in Rio de Janeiro this November.
