Online Reporter
TOP Zimbabwean sprinter Makanaka Charamba began his outdoor season on a positive note as the 24-year-old ran the fifth fastest time, but missed out on the podium at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Friday night.
The Zimbabwean Olympian clocked the fifth fastest time in 200 metres
on a day United States track and
field star Noah Lyles dominated the headlines.
Lyles ran the fastest time in the men’s 200m across six “Olympic development” heats at the event.
The gold medallist in the men’s 100m at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 registered a time of 19.91 seconds in the first heat, beating out 2025 US Outdoor Track and Field Championships finalist Max Thomas at 19.98 seconds.
Teenage sprint phenom Tate Taylor clocked the third fastest time of the day, completing a half-lap of the track in just 20.05 seconds in the second heat.
His time beat Lyles’ own high school record over the distance, signalling a growing challenge to the 28-year-old’s dominance.
Ivorian Cheickna Traore and Charamba rounded out the combined top five, running 20.14 seconds and 20.28 seconds, respectively.
It was the first time since the 2023 Tom Jones Memorial Invitational that Lyles ran the 200m as early as April.
His time showed a marked improvement, with the three-time Olympic medallist going 0.25 seconds faster than his previous outing at the meet.
The women’s 200m “Olympic development” heats offered some intriguing performances as well, with 2025 World Athletics Championships finalist McKenzie Long clocking the fastest time of the day at 22.42 seconds in first heat.
She was pushed to the finish line by high school standout Mariah Maxwell, who finished second in a time of 22.44 seconds.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili finished in 22.46 seconds.
Two-time 400m Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo finished sixth in a time of 22.64 seconds, while Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith rounded out the top 10 in 23.03 seconds. — Olympics.com/Zimpapers Sports Hub
Bongani Ndlovu