Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara has said Tapiwanashe Makarawu’s performance at the Miramar Invitational in Florida, United States, over the weekend is a good indication of what is to come.
Makarawu, delivered a strong performance in the 150m to post a time of 14.96 seconds and finished second behind Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson.
The Olympic and world 100m silver medallist won the race in 14.92 seconds, improving the previous world’s best of 14.97 seconds set by Linford Christie in 1994 on a curved track.
For Makarawu, his time saw him setting a new African record in the 150m sprint on a curved track, and also dipping under the previous world best. It is also his personal best.
The previous African record on a curved track was set in 1993 by Namibia’ Frank Fredericks.
“I am very happy with the performance of Makarawu. It’s a good indication for speed which he must work won for the 200m, and if you look at how long that record has been there, it has been a long a time.
“And if you look at again how he performed, although he was number two, he was able to beat the previous world best.
“It shows that he is sharpening his speed for the 200m.
“At the same it’s a good endurance for 100m if he is trying to push for 100m speed work.
“So, I am happy for him…He is going to run better for the year,” said Tagara.
With the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Senior Championships scheduled for next month in Accra, Ghana, NAAZ are hoping to have some of their top sprinters such as Makarawu as part of the team.
The 200m Olympic and World Championships finalist won a silver medal at the previous edition in Cameroon, in 2024.
The local athletics mother body is also looking at the 2027 African Games.
“We are hoping that he will remain in shape until the Africa Senior which is there next month and he will be participating. We are hoping he will be there. And the African Games, which are there next year in January.
“It’s a good indication for the country and again we salute that performance,” added Tagara.
The United States-based sprinter had an outstanding season last year, walking away with the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 200m titles before he went on to reach the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
He also turned professional last year.
While it is still early in the season, it seems Makarawu is set to continue moving up the ladder.
