Mufaro Hungwe: Turning Injury Into Innovation

by William Jones / ⠀News / October 23, 2024

Mufaro Martina Hungwe will never forget the sound of the snap in her hamstring or the excruciating pain that came with it. Lying on the track, she was overcome with several emotions: pain, confusion, and a looming dread that her athletic career might end before it truly began. “I was usually in the top 5–10% of all the sports I participated in,” Mufaro recalls, proof of her exceptional talent and hard work. But at that moment, lying in agony on the track, her dreams seemed to hang by a thread.

Athletic Excellence from a Young Age

Raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Mufaro had been a dynamo in sports from a very young age. At only five years old, she began participating in numerous sports, excelling in track and field, cross country, tennis, field hockey, basketball, and swimming. Her determination led her to the Zimbabwean National Field Hockey Team and the Track and Field Team, which enabled her to showcase her talents on the world stage. She later secured a track and field scholarship to attend Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, an NCAA DII school. However, what began as an auspicious start quickly turned dire. While at Truman State, Mufaro suffered a career-threatening hamstring injury. Fortunately, in her sophomore year, after transferring to the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), an NCAA DI school, she met the physical therapist who would help her through her rehabilitation.

Mufaro Hungwe

Injury and Recovery

“The recovery process, especially physical therapy, changed my life,” Mufaro reflects. “I was amazed by how my physical therapist combined theories of physical therapy, biomechanics, and exercise physiology to get me back on track in less than four months for an injury that typically takes at least eight months to heal. I would not have been able to recover as quickly and perform at my peak performance after that had it not been for his extensive knowledge and ability to apply it practically.” In awe of the intricate science that helped to restore her strength and get her back into active sports, Mufaro’s resolve was renewed in unexpected ways. Rather, she decided to pursue a degree in Kinesiology. She would go on to graduate summa cum laude from UNLV and later even earned a Master’s in Biomechanics. Tapping into that same unquenchable thirst that drove her from a small-town athlete to the international stage, Mufaro used her skills and education to achieve incredible feats as a Sports Product Innovator.

Inspiration Anew

“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to have the capabilities of understanding Human Anatomy and Biomechanics on the track,” she says, underlining her dual insight as an athlete and a Biomechanics enthusiast. Her distinct outlook fueled Mufaro’s drive to lead innovative projects at major companies, including Brooks Sports Inc. and Wilson Sporting Goods. It also inspired her to explore the topic further in her thesis, “The Investigation of the Influence of Long-Distance Running on Foot Volume in Healthy Female Collegiate Distance Athletes,” which garnered global interest.

A Foothold in the World of Athletics

“Having retired as a track and field athlete, I still wanted to be involved in the world of sports through Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, and eventually Sport Product Innovation,” she shares. During her time at globally recognized companies, Mufaro achieved significant success, yet her journey is far more than just personal achievement. As a former collegiate athlete and successful woman of color in the male-dominated sports and STEM worlds, Mufaro continues to break down barriers and innovate within her respective fields. Her achievements and dedication precede her in every room, leaving her co-workers and admirers no option but to respect and value what she brings. Mufaro Martina Hungwe’s advice to other women in STEM, especially, is a clarion call to resilience. “Keep going,” she says. “There will be times where things will be hard… but I encourage you to lean heavily into those difficult times.” Mufaro’s aspirations to lead in Sports Product Innovation, possibly at a major sportswear brand or owning her own brand, are fueled by a desire to give back to Africa and to nurture the untapped talent on her continent.