Zimbabwe athletes are making their mark early this outdoor season with top performances that have thrilled athletics director Phakamile Lisimati.
"Our athletes have shown quite impressive performances," Lisimati said from Gwanda. Vimbai Maisvoreva ran the 400m in 50.25 seconds last weekend, ranking eighth worldwide this year. Her time beats the World Championships qualifying mark of 50.75 seconds. She might become the first Zimbabwean woman to run under 50 seconds with the national collegiate finals approaching next month.
Makanakaishe Charamba leads the world in the 200m after clocking 19.99 seconds in America on April 18. South African Sinesipho Dambile follows at 20.01 seconds. Other notable Zimbabwean sprinters include Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Denzel Siamusilela.
The women's 4x100m relay team ranks third in Africa with a time of 45.97 seconds. David Nyamufarira stands tenth globally in the 100m at 10.02 seconds, needing just 0.02 seconds more to qualify for Tokyo. Field athletes also show promise—Tafadzwa Chikomba jumped 8.06m in the long jump, sitting 26th worldwide. Denis Hove needs a half-second improvement in the 400m to qualify directly.
Zimbabwe continues building its reputation as a rising force in global sprinting.
"Our athletes have shown quite impressive performances," Lisimati said from Gwanda. Vimbai Maisvoreva ran the 400m in 50.25 seconds last weekend, ranking eighth worldwide this year. Her time beats the World Championships qualifying mark of 50.75 seconds. She might become the first Zimbabwean woman to run under 50 seconds with the national collegiate finals approaching next month.
Makanakaishe Charamba leads the world in the 200m after clocking 19.99 seconds in America on April 18. South African Sinesipho Dambile follows at 20.01 seconds. Other notable Zimbabwean sprinters include Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Denzel Siamusilela.
The women's 4x100m relay team ranks third in Africa with a time of 45.97 seconds. David Nyamufarira stands tenth globally in the 100m at 10.02 seconds, needing just 0.02 seconds more to qualify for Tokyo. Field athletes also show promise—Tafadzwa Chikomba jumped 8.06m in the long jump, sitting 26th worldwide. Denis Hove needs a half-second improvement in the 400m to qualify directly.
Zimbabwe continues building its reputation as a rising force in global sprinting.
