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Motocross sensation Tanya Muzinda has scored a first by becoming the youngest person to be nominated for the Zimbabwe International Sportswoman of the Year award (ZIWA) which will be held in United Kingdom on October 3.

Tanya – who has been writing her colourful piece of history over the years with her exploits as a girl rider outshining her boy competitors – will be eyeing the Sportswoman award in the company of seasoned females like long distance runner Sharon Tavengwa, ladies golf open champion Yolanda Mubaiwa, long distance runner Rutendo Nyahora and personal fitness trainer and model Teurai Chanakira.

The success of the 11-year-old athlete has been made possible with support of her father Tawanda Muzinda, who once said in an earlier interview: “It is an important nomination to Zimbabwe as a country because it shows that the girl child is now being given the place that she deserves.”

Speaking to CLS, Tanya said she was happy to be nominated among the top sportswoman.

“I am a young woman and I am happy that I made it into the list of Zimbabwe’s finest sportswomen although I am just a little girl. Somehow I never expected to be nominated but I believe the world is warming up to the girl child. It means so much to me.

“I wish the same to other young girls out there and I encourage parents to support their children in whatever they do. I am what I am because of my father who is very supportive,” she said.

Tanya was full of praise for her manager, the international motocross icon Stefy Bau.

“ My role model is my mentor Stefy Bau. She is like a big sister to me. Bau has been working wonders in my career and I also owe my success to her,” she said.

The motorcross star said her dream so far is to beat Bau’s record of three World Championship titles.

“I want to be a 10 time World Champion in the Women’s Motocross category. My next move is to win the ZIWA so that I can boost my career,” she said.

Asked what is her next step in motocross, Tanya said moving a class up from 65cc to 85cc.

“I am already preparing for the Women World Championship slated for next year in Europe and I am moving a step forward from 65cc to 85cc. Motocross is a dirty game,” she said.

The 11-year-old said she still loves her girly look although she is venturing in what many would consider a man’s world.

“I am still a girl at the end of the day. I play with dolls together with my sisters. Right now we have just opened school. My parents help me out on my programmes. I go to school in the morning and I do my afternoon work. I practise motocross from Thursday up till weekends. I am also a French student at Harare French School,” she said.

Tanya is Zimbabwe’s Honorary Ambassador for Youth, Sports and Gender to the European Union.

In 2013, she was the best female rider at the FIM Africa Motocross Championships held in South Africa, and is signed into the renowned 211MX academy which is run by her manager Bau.

She was born on August 13, 2004 and became a keen follower of motorsport while growing up in Mabvuku before she entered the world of the sport as a rider.

CLS wishes Tanya the best. To vote for Tanya visit www.ziwaawards.co.zw