Sinokubonga Nkala
Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
UNITED States-based sprinter Tapiwanashe Makarawu returned to the track with a bang by setting a new indoor 300m national record in the Louisville Opener at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Centre on Wednesday.
Makarawu, now at the University of Kentucky, was part of the track and field team and began his 2024-2025 campaign by coming second in the men’s 300m in a time of 32,72 seconds.
The time saw him surpass the previous national record of 33,14 seconds set by Kundai Maguranyanga in 2021 in the United States.
The performance also saw Makarawu setting the third-fastest time in the school’s history after joining the University of Kentucky from New Mexico Junior College this year.
He had earlier on run the 60m preliminaries, setting the top mark in the round at 6,75 seconds but did not contest the final.
Posting on its Facebook page, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee congratulated Makarawu on his achievement.
“Huge congratulations to Tapiwa Makarawu on shattering the indoor 300m national record.
“@carliemakarawu blazed across the finish line with an impressive time of 32,72 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 33,14 seconds set by Kundai Maguranyanga.
“Fresh from an incredible performance at Paris 2024, where he made it to the 200m sprint final, Tapiwa continues to make Zimbabwe proud. And, with his outstanding display in Paris, he’s also secured his spot at the 2025 Athletics World Championships in Tokyo.
“Currently training at Kentucky Track in the USA, Tapiwa is clearly on fire. We can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Makarawu is the 200m record holder after posting a time of 19,93 seconds in April to qualify for the Olympic Games.
The 24-year-old earned his ticket to next year’s World Athletics Championships to be staged in Tokyo, Japan, in the 200m event by posting a time of 20,07 seconds at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The qualifying time is 20,16 seconds.
He got to the 200m final at the Games with compatriot Makanakaishe Charamba.
It was the first time Zimbabwe had two athletes in the men’s 200m final at the Olympic Games.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president, Tendayi Tagara, said they are happy for the sprinter.
“We are happy as a federation that Makarawu has started well. The 300m event is part of preparation for his upcoming events.
“Remember he is a 200m and 100m runner but you find him running 300m, it’s a good indication that if we push him for 400m relays he will do well.
“And this is the foundation, the beginning of the season, we are happy as he goes for Christmas in a good mood, shaping up for the coming season.
“The first part of the season up to March will just be Indoor Championships. We will see whether everything goes according to plan.
“Our hope is that he will qualify as early as possible for the 100m for the World Championships. Makarawu, he has already qualified for the 200m for the World Championships.
“We are hoping it will be easy for him to qualify for the 100m,” said Tagara.
For 100m Makarawu, will be chasing a qualifying time of 10 seconds.
