Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE year 2025 promises to be busy for athletics, with a number of competitions lined up.
For the United States-based Zimbabwean duo of Chengetayi Mapaya and Tapiwanashe Makarawu, their eyes are firmly fixed on the World Athletics Championships, which are the main global event this year.
The biennial world meet is due to run from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, Japan.
It will be preceded by the World Indoor Championships to take place between March 21 and 23 in Nanjing, China.
The Asian country will also host the World Relays on May 10 and 11 in Guangzhou.
For most of the Zimbabwean athletes, focus is on the World Relays and World Championships in September.
The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) have indicated that they are pinning their hopes on local-based athletes for the relays, as those based in the US would not be able to make it due to college commitments.
However, NAAZ are hoping to get qualification from both local-based and US-based athletes for the global meet in Tokyo.
Some of the athletes have made it clear they are out to secure their places in Tokyo.
So far, Olympian Makarawu has qualified for the World Championships after running the 200m qualifying time during the Olympic Games held in France in August last year.
“Yes, the main target for every athlete is to qualify for world stage competitions, which I already did, so this season is basically letting God lead the way like always and I follow behind. Whatever happens, I know it’s part of God’s plan,” said Makarawu.
He began his season on a high note when setting a new indoor 300m national record of 32.72 seconds last month.
“Well, it was a good start, to be honest.
“But I don’t want to fool myself and tell myself that I am ready for the Worlds (World Championships).
“But it was just a good way to show myself that there is good progress, but we still need to work and keep on improving because it’s going to be a long season.
“I have to be prepared to face the best and the worst. In short, I might say it was a great 300m record, which I thank God for, but it was just a reflection of good training progress, and (I) will keep working towards (the) Worlds.
“So far, no injuries, and I thank God for that. I pray that I stay healthy, and I will be doing my very best to stay healthy and finish off my season injury-free,” added Makarawu.
The 24-year-old joined the University of Kentucky last year from New Mexico Junior College.
“I think I am settling well at my new school; it’s a great school.
“It’s difficult and hard to change schools, training programmes and coaches during the peak moment of an athlete.
“But I believe everything happens for a reason and for the good. I think I will be okay.”
The NCAA events remain key to his preparations for Tokyo.
He is looking at chasing qualification for the 100m but admits it will not be easy to run double events if he qualifies.
For triple jumper Mapaya, most of the groundwork towards qualification got underway in August following a short break after the African Senior Athletics Championships in Doula, Cameroon.
“After Africa Senior Championships, I waited to see if I was going to make the Olympics and, unfortunately, I did not make the Olympics.
“I basically went back to my job and just reflected on my season and seeing what I could do better.
“After about a month of resting, I started back on training in August. I started slowly training again in preparation for 2025.
“I definitely want to be in Tokyo, and I will be in Tokyo. I am aiming for that,” Mapaya said.
Mapaya has been to the World Championships before in Qatar, in 2019.
And, as he works his way towards securing his place at the forthcoming edition, it is not just about being at the world meet but going all the way to the final.
He is hoping to emulate the pair of Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba, who made the final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“I definitely want to be at World Championships and make the finals and just be in the same boat as Makarawu and Charamba.
“I definitely want to do better. But I want to make sure my target is to make the final and be ranked as one of the best jumpers.”
The silver medallist at the African Senior Athletics Championships last year is also aiming for the World Athletics Indoor Championships.
“I will be competing at a number of meets. All the meets I go to can make me qualify,” said Mapaya.
“To be precise, I will be doing indoors. Actually, I am also targeting World Indoor Championships, then just go for a number of meets that will make me qualify for World Championships. I have qualified for World Championships (before); it’s really now being seen and making the final and feeling what it feels like being around the top eight and the best.”
