Makarawu through to semis in Cameroon

Ellina Mhlanga in DOUALA, Cameroon

TAPIWANASHE Makarawu put up a good show at the ongoing Confederation of African Athletics Senior Championships yesterday when he qualified for the men’s 100m semi-finals.

Makarawu came first in heat 4, in 10.35 seconds at Japoma Stadium to advance to the semi-finals.

Initially, the 100m semis were scheduled to take place yesterday as well.

However, they were rescheduled to today due to some technical challenges.

“First of all the heats were easy, but they were not that easy because the gun wasn’t that clear, the sound wasn’t clear, but I made it through to the semis.

“I’m happy that I made it through to the semis.

“And today it was a disappointment because the competition wasn’t organised. We were supposed to run the semis today, but they are now tomorrow. We were warming up for like 2 hours and at the end of the day we were disappointed.

“But I’m still ready and still motivated to run the semis tomorrow and maybe to make it to the finals,” said Makarawu .

He has already secured his place at the Paris 2024 Olympics in 200m.

He is hoping to achieve the same feat in 100m.

“I’m trying to qualify for the 100m because I want to double the 100m and 200m at the Olympics. So I want to try to qualify for the 100m. 

“So we will see how it goes tomorrow and with the demotivation we have had today its going to be hard, but I will try my best” said Makarawu.

Ngoni Makusha and Dickson Kamungeremu failed to pull through to the semis.

Makusha finished fourth in 10.55 seconds in heat 2. It was the same story for Kamungeremu as he placed fourth in 10.52 seconds in heat 8.

In the women’s 100m Elizabeth Msipa also missed the semi-finals when coming 5th in a time of 12.30seconds in heat 4.

Despite missing the semis, Msipa, who was competing at the African Senior Championships for the first time said it was an exciting experience.

“I was very excited because this was my first senior team. So I’m really excited to be here, given an opportunity to be here.

“I really enjoyed the race. So I was expecting to have done better but then I didn’t.

“But it doesn’t mean I should give up now. At least now I know that I can work harder,” said Msipa.

In the men’s 400m Dennis Hove pulled through to the semi-finals when coming second in heat 5.