It was a day of speed, pride, and qualification as Zimbabwe’s sprinting talents lit up the track at the NCAA East Regionals. Makanakaishe Charamba delivered a jaw dropping performance in the men’s 200m, clocking a wind aided 19.79s (+2.4) to dominate his heat and secure a spot at the NCAA Championships in Eugene. While the wind reading made the time ineligible for record purposes, the performance was a clear indication that Charamba is in peak form and ready to challenge the best on the national stage.
Joining him in Eugene is fellow countryman Carli Makarawu, who ran the race of his life to finish third overall with a new personal best of 19.92s (+1.4). Makarawu’s consistency and determination paid off, especially after narrowly lowering his previous best of 19.93s. His qualifying time came in a highly competitive heat, with only T’Mars McCallum finishing between him and Charamba. The fact that both Zimbabweans made it through to the championships speaks volumes about the nation’s rising sprinting pedigree.
With their spots booked for Eugene, the Zimbabwean duo has not only made their country proud but also positioned themselves as genuine medal threats. Their performances reflect a growing wave of African excellence in the NCAA sprint circuit, and all eyes will be on Charamba and Makarawu to see how far they can push the limits when they line up against the best of the best on the big stage.