Zimbabwean sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba have powered their way into the World Athletics Championships men’s 200m semi-finals after coming first and second respectively in their heats at Japan’s National Stadium on Wednesday.
National 200m record holder Makarawu, running in lane 6 of Heat 2 led from start to finish clocking 19.91 seconds. ahead of Courtney Lindsey of the United States (19.95) and Jamaican Adrian Kerr who clocked 20.13.
Charamba was up next competing in lane 5 of Heat 5 and did not disappoint, coming second behind Jamaica’s Brian Levell who won in 19.84 while Australia’s Gout Gout registered 20.23 for a third-place finish.
Triple jumper Chengetayi Mapaya, the first of the Zimbabwean athletes in competition on the night, could, however not progress into the final.
His best leap of 16.59 metres placed him eighth in his Qualification group and 15th overall. – Herald Online/Twenty Four Seven
