Online Reporter
Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent
FROM the track lanes of Hillcrest College to the bright lights of the Diamond League, Makanakaishe Charamba is continuing to put Mutare on the global athletics map.
The former Hillcrest College sprinter produced another statement performance in Lausanne, Switzerland, last Friday night, powering to third place in the men’s 200m at the Athletissima Diamond League meeting.
Charamba clocked 20.14 seconds into a headwind, finishing behind Botswana Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo (19.87) and South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile (19.98) in a Southern African sweep of the podium.
For Mutare, however, the significance stretches beyond the stopwatch as Charamba’s rise is a reminder that world-class talent can emerge from the city’s schools and make the leap onto athletics’ biggest stages.
His journey began at Hillcrest, where he initially had his sights on rugby before his sprinting ability caught the attention of coaches.
He went on to become a COSSASA 100m champion in 2018 and a Manicaland provincial champion over 100m and 200m.
Now 24, the Auburn University athlete is rubbing shoulders with the very best in the world and doing more than simply making up the numbers.
Lausanne was his third Diamond League podium finish of the season.
He finished second in Doha in 19.88 seconds, matching his personal best, before taking third in Eugene in 20.11.
His latest six points lifted him to 19 points, placing him third in the 2026 Diamond League 200m standings.
With one qualifying race remaining in Zurich, Charamba is firmly in the hunt for a place in the Diamond League Final.
For Hillcrest and Mutare, his latest run is another powerful reminder of what can happen when local talent is given room to run.
