Zimbabwean sprint sensation and Auburn senior, Makanakaishe Charamba, lit up the track at the 2025 Tom Jones Invitational with a blistering 19.99s finish in the men’s 200m invitational, despite running into a -0.8m/s headwind. The performance not only marks a new World Lead for the year but also establishes Charamba as the first athlete to break the 20 second barrier this outdoor season. It was a powerful run from the reigning SEC 200m champion and NCAA Indoor silver medalist, who is beginning to show that his speed indoors is translating frighteningly well to the outdoor season.
Charamba’s run is no fluke. The 23 year old Olympian, who made the final of the men’s 200m at the last Olympic Games, has been building steadily toward global sprinting prominence. His blend of top end speed and late race strength has always been his weapon, and at the University of Auburn, he’s honed his race strategy with precision. In a stacked NCAA sprinting field, his ability to rise on the big stage continues to separate him from the pack, and his recent form shows he’s not just chasing collegiate glory he’s aiming to win globally.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Charamba to see how far he can stretch this momentum. With the World Championships and Olympic spotlight looming, the Zimbabwean sprint star has made it clear that he’s more than just a collegiate threat he’s a serious contender for global medals. The outdoor season has only just begun, but one thing is already certain, Makanakaishe Charamba is up to something special.
