Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo in Tokyo, Japan, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S sprint star Tapiwanashe Makarawu delivered on the big stage last night, storming into the men’s 200-metre final at the World Athletics Championships while teammate Makanakaishe Charamba suffered the cruellest near miss.
In a semi-final brimming with drama, Makarawu clocked 19,98 seconds for fourth in the fastest heat of the night at Japan National Stadium. Only three automatic qualifiers were guaranteed, yet his time secured one of the coveted fastest loser slots. “Zimbabwe’s hopes were based on the two athletes,” said National Athletics Association director of coaching and talent identification Phakamile Lisimati, who is leading Team Zimbabwe. “Unfortunately, Makanakaishe came third in his heat but missed out because other heats were quicker. So, we wish Makarawu the best of luck for the final. He’s been a shining star for us and continues to give us hope.”
Charamba had every reason to hope. He finished third in Heat 1 in 20,03 seconds and then sat, tense and wide eyed, alongside South African veteran Wayde van Niekerk while officials reviewed times. For a long few minutes his image lingered on the giant stadium screens as the crowd shared his anticipation. But when the final list came through, he was ninth overall, one place shy of the cut.
The setback underscored the razor thin margins on a night of upsets. Australia’s 17-year-old prodigy Gout Gout, a pre-race favourite, was eliminated despite a 20,36 run. Jamaican speedsters Adrian Kerr and Christopher Taylor, Japan’s own Towa Uzawa, Nigeria’s Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike and even Van Niekerk all failed to progress.
Makarawu, the Zimbabwe national record holder with a best of 19,84, now carries the nation’s medal hopes alone. He didn’t have it easy. Drawn in Heat 2 with defending world champion Noah Lyles of the United States and Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, he stumbled slightly on the bend and had to chase. Lyles won in a blistering 19,51, Hughes took second in 19,95 and South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile edged third with 19,97 in a photo finish that left Makarawu a whisker back but still safely through.
The stage is now set for tonight’s showdown. The other finalists include Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, who clocked 19,95 behind Jamaica’s Brayn Levell (19,78) to win Heat 3. The race promises fireworks, and Lisimati believes a few technical adjustments could give Makarawu an edge. “We hope he can correct one or two issues we saw in his semi so that he can excel tomorrow and hopefully give us a podium finish,” he said.
Makarawu, a former Bindura University of Science Education student now based in the United States, has shown he can thrive under pressure. “I have matured enough to handle big occasions,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub earlier in the week. That calm confidence will be vital as he lines up beside some of the fastest men in history.
Makarawu will need a flawless start and a clean bend to challenge for medals. Anything close to his personal best could trigger celebrations back home. “It’s going to be a tight race with Lyles and Tebogo,” Lisimati said. “But Carlie has given us hope, and he continues to give us hope.”
For now, all eyes turn to tonight’s final under the Tokyo lights. One man stands between Zimbabwe and a slice of sprinting history, ready to turn a promising run into an unforgettable finish.
