Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE and Chamber of Mines athletics legend Gabriel Chikomo has hailed sprinters Makanakaishe Charamba and Ashley Miller for their outstanding achievements this season, saying their success has elevated the country’s profile on the international stage.
Both athletes, who are based in the United States, have qualified for this weekend’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
Their qualification follows an impressive 2026 season, particularly for Charamba, who finished third in the highly competitive Wanda Diamond League against a field that included some of the world’s leading sprinters such as Sinesipho Dambile, Kenneth Bednarek and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship is the final event on the global governing body’s 2026 calendar. It brings together the world’s top athletes, selected through regional competitions, major international events and world rankings, for a two-day showcase.
Chikomo, who holds Chamber of Mines records in the 100m, 4x100m and 4x400m and won bronze at the 2007 African Games, said Zimbabwean athletics has gained international recognition and credited Charamba and Miller’s rise to hard work and perseverance.
He said the pair have become worthy ambassadors for Zimbabwe and noted that the Budapest competition represents the pinnacle of the 2026 athletics season.
While the Diamond League featured athletes who qualified largely through performances from the previous season, the Ultimate Championship places greater emphasis on current form across a range of competitions.
“They have done Zimbabwe proud, they have worked hard to be where they are and it is their crowning moment. Zimbabwe athletics has spoken and the world is seeing. Congratulations to the duo and I wish they continue to shine for their country and its athletics,” said Chikomo in an interview from Hwange yesterday.
He added: “This is not just any other tournament but the biggest for 2026 which is not an Olympic or World Championships year. Everyone among the 16 who is there has worked hard for that recognition and that tells a story about our talent and structures,” said Chikomo.
The former ZRP Bulawayo and Hwange Athletics Club sprinter said development structures such as the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) and the National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH), working alongside the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, continue to play a critical role in nurturing talent.
“Our development structures are working at schools, so many trained coaches and officials, we now need a more vibrant competition structure that provides good feel of what to expect at the next level,” said Chikomo.
Charamba, Zimbabwe’s second-fastest 200m runner of all time behind Tapiwanashe Makarawu, who set a national record of 19.84 seconds this season, posted a personal best of 19.88 seconds.
No other Zimbabwean athletes have recorded faster times over the distance than the two United States-based sprinters, who have also excelled at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Charamba, who finished an impressive third in the 200m final of the Wanda Diamond League in Brussels, Belgium, last weekend in 19.98 seconds, capped a strong season that included several podium finishes.
Nicknamed King Kong, the powerful sprinter’s personal best of 19.88 seconds ranks as the 10th fastest time in the world this year. He heads into the championship ranked sixth by World Athletics, which could earn him a favourable lane assignment.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe official Cynthia Phiri confirmed Charamba’s qualification for the season-ending event.
He will not be the only Zimbabwean competing in Budapest.
Ashley Miller also secured qualification after recording a time of 54.08 seconds in the 400m hurdles. Her performance ranks among the top 20 times in the world this year.
Men’s 200m
Kenneth Bednarek (USA) 19.62, Sinesipho Dambile (RSA) 19.74, José Figueroa (PUR) 19.76, Letsile Tebogo (BOT) 19.84, Andre De Grasse (CAN) 19.84, Makanakaishe Charamba (ZIM) 19.88, Yassine Hssine (MAR) 19.92, Brandon Hicklin (USA) 19.92, Bryan Levell (JAM) 19.93, Alexander Ogando
(DOM) 19.96, Aaron Brown (CAN) 20.07, Courtney Lindsey (USA) 20.09, Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike (NGR) 20.09, Timothé Mumenthaler (SUI) 20.09, Christopher Taylor (JAM) 20.11, Kyree King (USA) 20.24
Women’s 400m hurdles
Anna Cockrell (USA) 52.13, Emma Zapletalová (SVK) 52.30, Jasmine Jones (USA) 52.91, Rushell Clayton (JAM) 53.05, Dalilah Muhammad (USA) 53.16, Paulien Couckuyt (BEL) 53.20, Fatoumata Binta Diallo (POR) 53.30, Gianna Woodruff (PAN) 53.56, Kemi Adekoya (BRN) 53.67, Ayomide Folorunso (ITA) 53.93, Sanique Walker (JAM) 54.00, Lina Nielsen (GBR) 54.04, Amalie Iuel (NOR) 54.05, Ashley Miller (ZIM) 54.08, Shamier Little (USA) 54.15, Shiann Salmon (JAM) 54.81, Sára Mátó (HUN) 55.08
