THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) is in high spirits as the country sends its largest team in two decades to the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships, a feat which NAAZ has described as a leap back onto the world stage.
The talent-filled team consists of eight athletes, who are set to participate across different disciplines, namely sprints, hurdles middle distance, marathon and field events.
“This historic line-up reflects the diversity of Zimbabwaan talent from the raw speed of the 200m sprinters, to the grit of the marathoners, to technical brilliance of hurdles end and trípple jump,” NAAZ highlighted in a statement yesterday.
“This team signals a new chapter for Zimbabwean athletics with Makarawu and Charamba urging into global sprinting ranks, Maisvorewa and Miller shining as the new face of women's track.
“Mapaya (will be) bringing brilliance to the field. Mpofu Zimuto and Chidzivo (will be) carrying the marathon legacy. This is more than a team: it is a movement of renewal.”
NAAZ president Tendai Tagara is both enthusiastic and optimistic of the team.
“This is a proud moment for Zimbabwean athletics. For the first time in over 20 years, we are sending such a strong and sizeable team to the World Championships,” he said.
“These athletes have worked tirelessly to qualify and their presence in Tokyo proves Zimbabwe is back on the global athletics map.
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“We are confident they will inspire the nation and compete with courage and heart.”
The team consists of Tapiwanashe Makarawu (200m), Makanakaishe Charamba (200m), Vimbayi Maisvorewa (400m), Ashley Miller (400m hurdles), Chengetai Mapaya (triple jump), Isaac Mpofu, Tendoyi Zimuto and Fortunate Chidzivo, for marathon.
Zimbabwe is going to be sharing the track and field with some the world’s crème de la crème, with the likes of Africa’s Golden Sprint sensation in Letsile Tebogo from Botswana and Noah Lyles from the United States.
