Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TAPIWANASHE MAKARAWU has learned what it means to stand on solid ground while the world rushes past him.
The phrase “the world under his feet” is one sport reaches for too easily. It is old, worn thin by repetition, and usually emptied of meaning.
Yet in Makarawu’s case, cliche and truth briefly meet.
He has spent the past year running at a level that places him among the fastest men alive, while learning how to slow down enough to understand what that means.
For the 25-year-old, 2025 will always read like a turning point.
It was the season when promise hardened into proof, when Olympic experience was followed by confirmation on a bigger stage.
At the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last September, Makarawu did more than show up.
He finished seventh in the men’s 200 metres final, clocking 20.12 seconds, a performance that placed him among the world’s elite and ranked him as the seventh fastest over the distance globally that year.
The numbers tell part of the story. The journey to that final tells the rest.
He won his heat in 19.91 seconds, announcing himself early.
In the semi finals, he dipped under 20 seconds for the first time, stopping the clock at a personal best 19.97.
It was the kind of run that changes how athletes see themselves. The barrier had fallen. The door was open.
That was the noise and glare of competition. Now, months later, the volume has dropped.
Makarawu is back home, easing into time with family and close friends, letting the season settle.
It is here, away from the track, that reflection has found him.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying my break,” said Makarawu.
“Although it’s regrettably drawing to a close, I spent my Christmas break and holiday surrounded by loved ones, including family and a few close friends.”
It has been a pause filled with more than rest. He speaks openly about faith, about grounding, about the unseen forces that steady him when expectation begins to press.
Makarawu is deeply religious. He credits God not only for his speed, but for life itself. In a sport obsessed with margins and mechanics, he speaks instead about trust.
“This past year taught me the importance of prioritising my faith and trusting in God’s plan,” he said.
“I’ve come to realise that with God, the possibilities are endless, and I’m eager to see what the future holds.
“With God’s guidance and intervention, 2026 appears to hold great promise.
“I’m currently preparing for upcoming events and am excited to see how the year unfolds.”
There is love too, though that story remains carefully folded away.
He smiles at the mention, acknowledging it without revealing it, offering only, “that is a story for another day.”
To frame Makarawu’s year around Tokyo alone would miss its deeper shape.
Away from the global spotlight, he also claimed back to back NCAA titles, indoors and outdoors. These, he says, are the moments that stay closest.
“The standout highlight of 2025 for me was undoubtedly winning two NCAA championships, both outdoors and indoors, and having the city of Hobbs declare September 3rd as Tapiwanashe Makarawu Day in recognition of my achievements,” he said.
“Additionally, I also had the pleasure of meeting new individuals who have had a profoundly positive impact on my life.
“The response from friends, family and fans following the Athletics World Championships was also overwhelmingly supportive and humbling.
“Receiving such kindness from both acquaintances and strangers alike has been a powerful motivator, and I’m grateful for the encouragement.”
The calendar has turned, and with it comes a demanding road.
Ahead lie the NCAA indoor and outdoor seasons, the 2026 Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana, qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, and the long, careful build toward the 2028 Olympic Games.
There will be choices to make. Distances to commit to. Peaks to plan. For now, Makarawu is not rushing those decisions.
“As I look ahead to 2026, I’m excited to share that I have numerous plans and aspirations,” he said.
“On a personal level, I’m eager to focus on growth and development, as well as attend a few social events that I’m currently keeping under wrap.
“Professionally, I’m anticipating positive outcomes and am confident that my plans for 2026 will yield fruitful results.
“While I can’t predict the future with certainty, I’m hopeful to participate in major events in the coming year, pending my world ranking.
“Given my current trajectory, I’m feeling optimistic about my prospects.”
For a man who runs as fast as he does, optimism arrives quietly.
It is carried in faith, steadied by family, and shaped by a year that proved he belongs.
The world may not stay under his feet forever, but for now, he stands firmly, knowing exactly where he is.
