Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwean athletics fans are holding their breath as the final list of participants for the World Athletics Championships is expected to be announced this weekend.
The global showpiece, set for September 13-21 in Japan, will feature the best athletes on the planet, with Zimbabwe already guaranteed representation from six stars. These include 200m sprinters Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu, 400m runner Vimbai Maisvoreva, marathoners Isaac Mpofu, Tendai Zimuto and Fortunate Chidvivo.
But the real drama lies in the possibility of four more athletes sneaking into the final cut. David Nyamufarira, Denzel Siamusialela, Chenge Mapaya and Ashley Miller are all ranked within the world’s top 50 in their events, giving them a strong chance of late inclusion.
Nyamufarira agonisingly missed automatic qualification by a whisker after clocking 10.01 seconds in the 100m against the 10.00 standard. He is currently ranked 46th in the world. Miller sits 42nd in the 400m hurdles, Siamusialela 49th in the 200m, while Mapaya is in a strong position at 16th in the triple jump.
World Athletics has stipulated that 50 percent of participants must qualify through entry standards and the other 50 percent through rankings. With powerhouses like the United States and Jamaica limited to three athletes per event, Zimbabwe’s hopefuls are banking on the overflow of world-class stars from these nations to open the door.
All eyes now turn to World Athletics’ final announcement. For Zimbabwe, it could be the difference between six athletes on the big stage or a historic ten.
