Tapiwanashe Makarawu broke the Zimbabwean 200m sprint record with a time of 19.84 seconds at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. He won gold, fending off fellow Zimbabwean Makanakaishe Charamba. This victory marks a significant achievement after recovering from an injury, placing Makarawu among the best in NCAA history.
In an incredible display of speed, Tapiwanashe “Carlie” Makarawu made headlines by breaking the Zimbabwean record in the 200-meter sprint during the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Running an impressive 19.84 seconds, he clinched the national title at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. This victory not only secured gold for Makarawu but also marked a significant improvement over his previous best, set only three months earlier.
The race was intense, especially as Makarawu raced from lane nine, needing to fend off a powerful challenge from his fellow countryman, Makanakaishe Charamba. Just months after facing an injury at the Tom Jones Memorial meet in April, Makarawu’s resilience astonished many fans and analysts alike. He improved his prior time by 0.29 seconds, a feat that solidifies his status as one of the fastest collegiate sprinters in history.
With this new record, Makarawu now holds the No. 2 ranking in the world this year. His 19.84-second finish ties him for the ninth-fastest time recorded in NCAA history, and it is also noted as the seventh-fastest by a collegiate athlete ever. Adding to his triumph, Makarawu stands at 11th all-time across Africa in the sport. Charamba, competing for Auburn, finished closely behind in the race with an impressive time of 19.92 seconds, nabbing the second spot on the podium.
Garrett Kaalund from USC made a notable entry, breaking the 20-second barrier for the first time with a time of 19.96 seconds, earning him third place. Jordan Anthony, a former Kentucky wide receiver who has switched to track and currently represents Arkansas, just missed medaling in fourth with a time of 20.01 seconds. Early-season world leader T’Mars McCallum from Tennessee finished fifth with 20.16 seconds.
The sprint concluded with several other athletes rounding out the field, including Max Thomas (USC) in sixth with 20.23 seconds, Xavier Butler (Texas) in seventh with 20.39, and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu from South Florida, who finished eighth in 20.55 seconds. Makarawu’s victory at Nationals added 10 points to Kentucky’s team total, helping the Wildcats secure a tie for eighth place.
As he celebrates his accomplishments, Makarawu is now setting his sights on the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo this September, where he’ll represent Zimbabwe and compete alongside the best athletes in the realm of track and field. His journey reflects not just personal triumph but also a proud moment for Zimbabwean athletics as Makarawu takes his place in the global spotlight.
Tapiwanashe “Carlie” Makarawu has truly distinguished himself in the world of athletics by not only winning the 200m at the 2025 NCAA Championships but also by breaking national records for Zimbabwe. His remarkable comeback from injury and impressive performance places him among the elite in the sport. With his sights set on the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo, Makarawu is undoubtedly a sprinter to watch in the future.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
