Zimbabwean sprint sensation Tapiwanashe Makarawu has laid out a bold and carefully calculated roadmap for the 2026 athletics season, revealing plans to target Budapest qualification, climb the world rankings, and spearhead what he believes could be a historic relay campaign for Zimbabwe at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana.
Speaking to journalists at the University of Ghana Stadium yesterday, Makarawu opened up on his love for representing Zimbabwe and Africa on the global stage, his tactical decision to focus solely on the 100 metres for now, and his burning ambition to eventually conquer the sprint double.
"It has been fun, you know, running in Africa, representing my country. It's been fun and I just love representing my continent as well as my country. So I love it," said Makarawu, whose passion for the vest was unmistakable.
The sprinter, who memorably ran both the 100m and 200m at the last African Championships, has made a deliberate and coach-driven decision to streamline his focus this season. "I ran both the 100 and 200 at the last African Championships. I'm just doing the 100 this time. That's the plan with my coach. We are not yet ready for the 200."
However, Makarawu was quick to signal that the 200m is very much part of the longer vision. "My coach and I want to do the double this year. So we'll see how the 100 goes. I know, I believe in myself that I can do the 200. That's why I'm more focusing on the 100 this year. The season is still early."
It is a measured, patient approach that speaks to a maturity beyond his years, an athlete who knows exactly where he is going and is not prepared to rush the journey.
Makarawu could have a big say in the men’s 100m semis and final in Accra after securing a spot in the semis taking place today.
Last month, Makarawu ran a 100m Personal Best of 10.10s.
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Perhaps the most electrifying revelation came when Makarawu turned his attention to Zimbabwe's relay prospects. He declared that Zimbabwe will be a serious force in the men's 4x100 metres, and confirmed that fellow sprinter Makanakaishe Charamba is part of the setup.
"Zimbabwe will be a top contender in the men's 4x100. Maka is here. He's a great guy. We're going to try and run something that we can try and qualify for Budapest as well as Beijing," he said, hinting at ambitions that stretch well beyond the African stage.
Qualification for the Budapest World Athletics Championships sits at the heart of Marakawu's 2026 objectives, alongside a push to establish himself prominently in the global world rankings. "For this year, it's just qualifying for Budapest. Trying to run some more Diamond Leagues. And then trying to be in the World Rankings, like the best World Rankings. So that's the target for this year, both relays and individual."
For Zimbabwean athletics fans starved of a genuine world-stage contender, Makarawu's words will land like a thunderbolt of hope. Here is a young man who does not merely dream of competing on the world stage, he is actively engineering his path there, one calculated race at a time.
With the season still in its early chapters, the best of Tapiwanashe Makarawu, by his own admission, is very much still to come.
