Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER walking away with the Sportsperson and Sportsman of the Year awards at the 2024 Annual National Sports Awards, speed merchant Tapiwanashe Makarawu is again among those vying for the top gong.
This year’s awards ceremony is scheduled for Harare on May 8.
The Sports and Recreation Commission yesterday unveiled a galaxy of nominees for the 2025 ANSA at a function at the National Sports Stadium.
And that among the galaxy of stars unveiled by ANSA Adjudicators committee vice-chairman Robson Sharuko is United States-based sprinter Makarawu, who after impressing in the 200m event at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Japan, could be fancying a second successive title.
The long list of nominees for various categories also has Zimbabwe cricket’s T20 team captain Sikandar Raza and tennis player Sasha Chimedza.
Makarawu and Raza, are also vying for the Sportsman of the Year together with Wilfred Mashaya.
The Zimbabwean 200m record holder had another outstanding season, walking away with the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 200m titles last year before he went on to reach the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
He finished seventh, proving his sixth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was not a fluke.
Makarawu has already bagged Athlete of the Year at the NAAZ 2025 Excellence Awards.
Raza opened the year by getting shortlisted for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year based on his stellar 2024 performance.
He then reached the number one spot in the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings for the first time in early 2025.
Raza later also achieved the world number one T20I all-rounder ranking in late 2025.
Earlier in the year, he had broken the record for the most Player of the Match awards in T20Is by a Full Member nation cricketer, reaching 18 awards and surpassing established players like Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli of India.
The 39-year-old inspired the Chevrons back to the World Cup stage after a three-year hiatus when Zimbabwe qualified for the ICC T20 Word Cup with a near flawless campaign at home.
Raza also broke a couple of national records as he became the first Zimbabwean cricketer to reach the milestone of 5 000 runs in the T20I format.
Chimedza is also gunning for the Sportswoman of the Year together with Rutendo Tom, also a tennis player and Chido Maenzanise.
The Sables, who are on their way to next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia are up for the Team of the Year accolade alongside the Hockey Under-21 Ladies side and the Chevrons.
Piet Benade’s Sables ended a 34-year to qualify for the Word Cup when winning the Africa Cup last year.
Sharuko noted the tough task his committee had of compiling the nominees list.
“I must emphasise that the task before the panel was not an easy one.
“Across all categories, the level of performance was exceptionally high. Zimbabwean athletes, teams, coaches, and officials have demonstrated remarkable achievement over the past year.
“In many instances, the margins between nominees were incredibly fine thereby forcing us to make difficult but necessary decisions.
“We carefully reviewed submissions from National Sports Associations, examined performances across competitions, and engaged in robust deliberations to arrive at the final shortlist you see today,” Sharuko said.
“There were times when we had serious disagreements, but we carried it all in the spirit of delivering a nominees list that reflects the sporting realities of our nation.
“The depth of talent we witnessed gives us great confidence in the future of Zimbabwean sport,” said Sharuko.
In his keynote address SRC business development and marketing board committee chairperson David Simba said; “As the Sports and Recreation Commission, we are deliberate in positioning ANSA as a cornerstone of our national sports ecosystem.
“We understand that recognition matters.
“We appreciate that what a nation chooses to celebrate ultimately defines what it becomes. For this reason, we deliberately and unwaveringly choose to celebrate excellence,” Simba said.
Also present at the unveiling ceremony was Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chief executive Priscilla Kadungure, SRC management representatives and representatives from some of their partners.
Nominees:
Sportswoman of the Year
Sasha Chimedza — Tennis Zimbabwe
Rutendo Tom — Tennis Zimbabwe
Chido Maenzanise — Zimbabwe Strongman Federation
Sportsman of the Year
Tapiwanashe Makarawu — National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza — Zimbabwe Cricket
Wilfred Mashaya — Zimbabwe Karate union
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
Thandiwe Ndlovu — Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee
Stella Jongwe — Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee
Moleen Majoni — Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
Sellai Chiwisa — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Simbarashe Mushayi — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Samson Muroyiwa — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Ruvarashe Makunike — Tennis Zimbabwe
Anje Van As — Zimbabwe Aquatics
Rachel O’Donoghue — Triathlon Zimbabwe
Junior Sportsman of the Year
Joel Badza — Tennis Zimbabwe
Rohnan Nicholson — Cycling Zimbabwe
Zander Botha — Triathlon Zimbabwe
Junior Sportswoman with a Disability
Ashley Mudzukira — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Makanaka Kaiyo — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Tawananyasha Mlanda — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Junior Sportsman with a Disability
Ryan Chigwedere — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Isaac Gutu — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Spelogy Kachembere — Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Technical Sports Official of the Year
Collen Jimu — National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe
Precious Pazani — Zimbabwe Rugby union
Friedlander Kadzombe — Tennis Zimbabwe
Team of the Year
Hockey U21 Ladies — Hockey Association of Zimbabwe
Rugby Senior Men’s Sables — Zimbabwe Rugby union
Cricket Chevrons Men’s T20 Team — Zimbabwe Cricket
Coach of the Year
Wilfred Mashaya — Zimbabwe Karate union
Pieter Benade — Zimbabwe Rugby union
Justin Sammons — Cricket Zimbabwe
Professional Boxing and Wrestling Promoter
Lindsay Earle — Boxing
Prosper Chibaya — Boxing
Outstanding Professional Female Boxer
Tarisai Mutsau — Boxing
Monica Mkandla — Boxing
Outstanding Professional Male Boxer
Tinashe Majoni — Boxing
Ndabezihle Phiri — Boxing
Beaven Sibanda — Boxing
Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award
Zander Botha – Triathlon Zimbabwe
Ruvarashe Makunike – Tennis Zimbabwe
Makanaka Kaiyo – Special Olympics Zimbabwe
Sportsperson of the Year
Tapiwanashe Makarawu – National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe
Sasha Chimedza – Tennis Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza – Zimbabwe Cricket
