Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TAPIWANASHE Makarawu lit up the track in Florida over the weekend, breaking the African 150m record and dipping under a longstanding world best in a run that points to a big season ahead.
The US-based sprinter clocked 14.96 seconds to finish second at the Miramar Invitational, just behind Jamaica’s Olympic and world 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson, who won in 14.92.
Position mattered less than the time.
Makarawu’s run re-wrote the African mark on a curved track, going past the record set by Namibia’s Frank Fredericks in 1993. He also dipped under the previous world best of 14.97 set by Britain’s Linford Christie in 1994, a mark that had stood for three decades.
It was a personal best too.
The 150m is not a race you see often, and the curve places a premium on control as much as speed. Makarawu handled both, and the run gave a clear sense of where his form is heading.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara liked what he saw.
“I am very happy with the performance of Makarawu.
“It’s a good indication for speed which he must work on for the 200m, and if you look at how long that record has been there, it has been a long time.
“And if you look again at 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 time it’s good endurance for the 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.
The timing works in his favour.
The Confederation of African Athletics Senior Championships are around the corner in Accra, Ghana, and Makarawu is shaping up as one of Zimbabwe’s main medal hopes. He already has form at that level, having taken silver in the 200m at the last edition in Cameroon in 2024.
There is also a longer view. The association has one eye on the 2027 African Games, where athletes like Makarawu are expected to lead the sprint charge.
“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.
Makarawu’s rise has not been sudden.
He had a strong season last year, winning the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 200m titles before reaching the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
He has since turned professional, a move that is starting to show.
