Tanzanian trio making most of China trip

Totaling just three members, the Tanzanian delegation is one of the smallest at the Chengdu FISU World University Games. Medals may be out of reach on this occasion for the East African nation, but its athletes are embracing the games as an opportunity to make friends with people from across the globe, as well as gaining valuable competitive experience on the international stage.

"This is the first time I've traveled outside my country," James Patrick Rwechungura, a 24-year-old law-school student from the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, told China Daily.

"I want to learn from my peers from other countries and make friends across the world."

The 31st FISU Games in Chengdu has attracted 6,500 student-athletes from 113 countries and regions.

The other two members of the Tanzania delegation are coach Tamba Boniface Fortunatus, and Amos Naomi Samwel, 23, from Ardhi University.

On Tuesday, Rwechungura competed in men's 1,500m but failed to make the final. He is scheduled to run in the 5,000m on Friday.

Swimmer Samwel will compete in the women's 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.

Delegation leader Fortunatus said Chengdu is very "attractive" but admitted that the humidity was challenging.

"We are used to the heat but not humidity," he said. "We are trying to adjust to the weather here."

Like many African nations, Tanzania is known for its runners, especially middle- and long-distance athletes. Suleiman Nyambui and Filbert Bayi both won Olympic medals for the country in 1980.

Tanzania boasts so many outstanding runners due to the country's unique environment and its diet, explained the delegation leader.

"We have strong hearts living at such a high altitude," said Fortunatus. "Our favorite staple food, ugali, provides good energy with plenty of carbohydrates."

The terrain in Tanzania is comparatively high, with an average elevation of 1,018 meters above sea level. Ugali is a type of corn meal that is popular in several African countries. In 2017, the dish was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, one of the few foods to make the list.

Despite its advantages for runners, the limited training facilities in Tanzania are a challenge, according to Fortunatus.

"Our athletes usually run on very rough ground," he said.

Rwechungura started running at age 12 and began training professionally at 15. With a heavy workload at law school, he can only train after class, usually in the afternoon.

"The most difficult part of training is the loneliness," he said. "You always run alone by yourself while the athletes in other events can train together."

Getting enough sleep between study and training is another challenge, he added.

Inspired by his successful predecessors, he plans to become a professional athlete after graduating, so he is treating the Chengdu games as a steppingstone to the pro ranks.

"I want to achieve my personal best at the games and introduce myself to the world," he said.