Carlie Makarawu breaks the 200m sprint record at the 2025 NCAA Championships, finishing in 19.84 seconds. He became the second fastest sprinter in the world this year, setting school and national records. Fellow Zimbabwean Makanakaishe Charamba secured second place. Makarawu now looks forward to the World Championships in Tokyo.
On March 15, Tapiwanashe “Carlie” Makarawu marked his name in history when he clocked an impressive 20.13 seconds during the 200-meter dash at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. This performance not only brought him gold but also tied the Zimbabwe national record. Fast forward three months, and Makarawu found himself back on the track once again, this time at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, drawing attention for both his prowess and recent injury setbacks.
Competing at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, Makarawu quickly distinguished himself, speeding out from lane nine effortlessly. He surged ahead through the curve, managing to fend off a last-minute push from fellow Zimbabwean and Olympic competitor Makanakaishe Charamba, ultimately finishing the race in a record-setting 19.84 seconds. Many were stunned, especially after Makarawu had previously sustained an injury at the Tom Jones Memorial event just weeks prior.
In breaking his previous time by 0.29 seconds, Makarawu achieved not just a personal best but also shattered both the school and the Zimbabwean national records. This remarkable performance has catapulted him to second in the world ranking for 2025, tying the ninth-fastest time in NCAA history and placing him seventh among collegiate athletes in history. Additionally, he now holds the 11th place in all-time African sprinting records.
Charamba, representing Auburn, closely trailed Makarawu, finishing with a strong 19.92 seconds, ensuring a Zimbabwean dominance on the podium. Following them was Garrett Kaalund of USC, who crossed the line under 20 seconds for the first time, securing third place with a time of 19.96 seconds. Just shy of the podium was Jordan Anthony, a name familiar to many in the Big Blue Nation. The former Kentucky wide receiver and sprinter, now competing for Arkansas, finished fourth in 20.01 seconds.
Meanwhile, T’Mars McCallum, the early-season world leader from Tennessee, finished fifth with a time of 20.16 seconds. Max Thomas from USC was sixth at 20.23, followed by Texas’ Xavier Butler with 20.39 in seventh place. Rounding up the heat was Abdul-Rasheed Saminu from South Florida, securing eighth in 20.55 seconds.
With his victory at the Nationals, Makarawu contributed ten points towards his team’s standing, helping Kentucky secure a tied position for eighth with a total of 22 points overall. Looking ahead, the Harare native aims to compete at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo in September, where he will showcase his talent among other elite athletes and represent Zimbabwe on a grand stage.
In summary, Carlie Makarawu’s incredible run at the NCAA Championships not only broke records and brought home gold but also reaffirmed his status as one of the up-and-coming sprinters on the global stage. His strong showing bodes well for his future at the World Championships in Tokyo, where he hopes to continue his impressive trajectory and represent Zimbabwe with pride.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
