Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE athletes will be among dozens carrying the Sadc Region’s hopes of silverware at the World Athletics Championships, which begin on September 13.
They were performers once again in the United States of America collegiate scene, where the athletes claimed honours in the indoor 200m with the best times of the year.
Already qualified, Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu, were able to dip under 20 seconds in the 200m to meet expected standards.
While their times in the Olympic final were not close to their personal best, being among the world’s top eight at a premier event’s final, was testament to the quality that they have grown to be.
Charamba’s outdoor best for 2025 is 19.92 seconds, with Makarawu sitting on 19.84.
The American duo of Noah Nyles (19.63) and Kenneth Bednarek will start as favourites as they are ranked first and second over the distance.
Jamaica’s Bryan Levell, 19.69 seconds and US’ T’Mars Mccallum (19.73) could be spoil spots for the Southern Africa contingent that has Motswana star, Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.
Zimbabwe’s Makarawu is eighth and Charamba 13th by time ranking.
Games of this magnitude have been known for surprises so much that some of the top ranked guys may suffer injuries or be disqualified for start violations.
The same could affect the Southern African duo. What they need is focus, concentration and willpower to excel and inspire millions in the subcontinent.
With three athletes in the top 15, all things being equal they could all make it to the semi-finals and in the penultimate event, anything can happen.
Chengetai Mapaya is the only athlete from the region who made the grade and goes to the competition ranked 16th with a jump of 17.15m
Algerian Yasser Mohammed TRIKI, with a jump of 17.40m is the best ranked African jumper and is seventh in the world.
Hugues Fabrice Zango of Burundi will carry the hopes of athletics in the Great Lakes and Central Africa Region with his 13th spot and season’s best of 17.21m, a metre outside the official qualifying standard.
Following failure to attain those standards many athletes qualified by ranking.
If form of the season is anything to go by, South Africa Zakithi Nene will be the man to beat in the 400m where he has a time of 43.76 seconds for 2025.
He is definitely among the favourites in the race and the region’s hope.
Zambian, Muzala Samukonga with his 44.11 seconds over one lap and sixth worldwide gives hope of at least reaching the final and thereafter anything can happen.
Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori with 44.25 seconds and 12th standing among 2025’s best is another bet from the region for the semi-finals and will weigh heavily in the 4x400m relay bid.
South Africa boast the best 4x400m time of two minutes 57.50 seconds with Botswana third in two minutes 58.19 seconds and Kenya sixth in two hours 59.29 seconds.
With a time of 37.61 seconds, South Africa have the world’s best effort in the men’s 4×100 thereby raising hopes of silverware in the region.
With East Africans dominating the marathon standings, Elroy Gelant ranked 29th carries the hopes of the region in which Zimbabwe is sending Tendai Zimuto and Isaac Mpofu.
Coming from high altitude could help the Zimbabwean’s cause and the fact that the weather conditions will be the same for everyone, including Japanese natives.
Vimbai Maisvoreva will not carry Zimbabwe’s hopes but the whole continent as she is the second best ranked African at number 21 of the best 2025 times with hers 50.25 seconds behind Kenya’s Mercy Adongo Oketch who has a time of 50.14 seconds as the best ranked.
Zeney Van Der Walt is ranked 16th in the 400m hurdles boasting a time of 54.25 seconds. She is the best African in the globe followed by Zimbabwean Ashley Miller, who is ranked 41st and will be happy with a second round or semi-final appearance.
Miller’s season best is 55.09 seconds.
Southern Africa looks certain to have some of its athletes finishing in podium positions.
Their success will go a long way in paving way for the growth of the discipline in the Sadc Region.
