THE Zimbabwe national athletics team delivered a historic performance at the recent Tokyo World Athletics Championships, marking a new era for the country’s track and field programme.
While they didn’t bring home any medals, the eight-member squad achieved a record number of top-10 finishes, placing four athletes among the world’s elite.
Two sprinters, Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba, spearheaded the team’s success.
Makarawu secured an impressive seventh-place finish in his second appearance at the championships, while Charamba, in his debut, finished ninth.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president Tendai Tagara celebrated the achievement.
“It’s an association that now has two athletes in the top 10 in the world in terms of sprinters,” he said.
This global success follows the sprinters’ recent professional deals.
Makarawu signed a professional contract with the Swiss sportswear Brand On in August 2025.
- Tagara re-elected into Confederation of African Athletics Council committee
- All set for NAAZ Junior Championships.
- 60 shortlisted for African Junior Athletics champs
- 50 Zim athletes in Zambia for Africa Junior Champs
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Meanwhile, Charamba secured a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Adidas in April 2025, a testament to his rising profile in the sport.
The historic performances extended beyond the track.
Chengetayi Mapaya made a mark by finishing tenth in the men’s triple jump, and marathon runner Isaac Mpofu also secured a top-10 spot.
Additionally, Tendai Zimuto showed incredible resolve, racing with a sprain to finish in 61st place.
The team also saw new talent emerge, as Ashley Miller and Vimbai Maisvorewa made their global stage debuts at the championships.
According to Tagara, the team’s overall performance was very encouraging.
“We are in the top 10 out of 214 countries,” he said, emphasising that the results indicate the association is doing something right.
NAAZ is determined to maintain this momentum and set new records in the coming years.
Tagara outlined ambitious plans, including bringing three more marathon runners to the 2027 World Championships to work alongside experienced athletes.
The association is also focused on fielding a strong team for the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, on May 2-3, 2026.
To achieve this, the NAAZ is exploring an innovative strategy to form a four-by-100-meter relay team composed of US-based athletes.
“We are pushing two alternatives,” Tagara said.
“One is the USA-based athletes where we are saying the coach is in America, the management is in America, the athletes are in America.
Therefore, we must get a four by 100 relay in America that will run for times in Botswana,” he further explained.
The process is being managed by former Olympians Brian Dzingai and Gabriel Mvumvure, a move that leverages the expertise of those who have competed at the highest level.
