Triple Threat: Ihude Siblings Shine in Chess, Science, and School
MEET the Ihude triplets, Omunojok, Shanessa, and Shantel, the talented siblings who were born on 8 July 2013 and are already making a name for themselves in chess, science, and school.
At just 11 years old, these Grade Seven students from Red Sun Academy have achieved more than many do in a lifetime.
Together, the triplets have won an incredible 23 gold, nine silver, and sic bronze medals in chess. They have played in national tournaments, often against much older opponents, and have consistently finished at the top.
Shantel is the standout star, having won almost every tournament she’s entered. She scored a perfect 7 out of 7 to win the 2024 NAPH National U12 Girls Championship, and in 2025, came second in the U16 national championship, playing against some of Zimbabwe’s best teenage girls.
She has also beaten top female chess players in the country, including the fifth-ranked player in Zimbabwe during a national online blitz tournament.
Shanessa is not far behind. Despite being younger than most of her competitors, she took 2nd place in the 2024 National U14 Championship. She’s known for her strong and steady play and also excels in school athletics.
Omunojok, the only boy of the trio, is a champion in his own right. He won the 2024 NAPH National U12 Boys Championship, and placed second in the 2025 Milton Park Invitational U16 Tournament, competing against older boys.
The triplets are chess stars and also top students. Shantel has been the top student at Red Sun Academy since Grade two. Shanessa and Omunojok are always ranked in the top five.
They are also skilled in computer programming, especially Python, and have entered many science and technology events. In 2024, they won a silver medal at the Africa Science Buskers Festival for creating a smart system to avoid road accidents using Arduino technology.
They have participated in:
- NASA’s Space Apps Challenge (2022)
- Zimbabwe Science Fair (2021)
- World Robot Olympiad Qualifiers (2025) – finishing fourth in Harare
- Chitungwiza Spelling Bee (2025) – Shantel placed 12th out of 389 students
Their teachers and coaches describe them as focused, humble, and hardworking. “They are truly gifted,” said one coach. “Each one of them is special, but together, they’re extraordinary.”
The Ihude triplets have already done so much in their short lives, and they are only getting started. With their talent, discipline, and love for learning, Zimbabwe might just be looking at its next generation of international chess champions.
