This is the biography of Tapiwanashe Makarawu, a trailblazing Zimbabwean athlete who is currently based in the United States of America.
Early Life and Education
Tapiwanashe Carlie Makarawu was born on August 14, 2000, in Zimbabwe. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in athletics, particularly in sprinting. He attended Mazowe High School and Bradley High School, where he began to hone his skills on the track. His talent was evident early on, and he quickly became one of the standout athletes at his school.
After completing high school, Makarawu enrolled at Bindura University of Science Education in 2021. His time at Bindura University was marked by significant achievements in athletics, which laid the foundation for his future career. In 2016, he joined the Zimbabwe National Sports Academy, where he received specialised training and support to further develop his sprinting abilities. In 2017, he was Zimbabwe’s Under-18 National Champion
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Tapiwanashe Makarawu Athletics Career
Tapiwanashe Makarawu Biography [Image: Carlie Makarawu/Facebook]
Makarawu’s career took a significant turn when he got a scholarship to the United States to attend New Mexico Junior College in 2022. This move provided him with access to better training facilities and more competitive environments. It was during his time at New Mexico Junior College that Makarawu began to make a name for himself on the international stage.
In 2023, Makarawu set a new personal best and national record for the 200 meters, running 20.10 seconds at the Texas Tech Corky/Crofoot Shootout. This performance broke the Zimbabwean national record, which had been held by Brian Dzingai for almost two decades1. At the same event, he also lowered his 100-metre personal best to 10.05 seconds.
Tapiwanashe Makarawu Achievements and Records
Tapiwanashe Makarawu Biography [Image: Carlie Makarawu/Facebook]
Makarawu’s list of achievements is impressive. In April 2024, he lowered his outdoor personal best to 19.93 seconds in the 200 meters. This performance solidified his status as one of Zimbabwe’s top sprinters. He also ran an indoor 200-meter personal best of 20.29 seconds at the Texas International in Lubbock in January 2024.
In addition to his personal bests, Makarawu has represented Zimbabwe at various international competitions. He competed at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest in the men’s 200-metre event. Although he did not qualify for the semi-finals, his participation in such a prestigious event was a testament to his growing reputation in the athletics world. In 2024, he qualified to represent Zimbabwe at the Paris Olympics.
In 2022, he was part of the Zimbabwe 4x100m relay team that clinched a bronze Medal at the Africa Senior Championships.
In May 2024, he was named New Mexico Junior College’s Athlete of the Year.
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Tapiwanashe Makarawu Challenges and Setbacks
Like many athletes, Makarawu has faced his share of challenges and setbacks. In 2023, he suffered a small injury at the start of the American summer, which temporarily hindered his progress. However, his determination and resilience allowed him to bounce back and continue to improve his performance.
Personal Life
Tapiwanashe Makarawu Biography [Image: Carlie Makarawu/Facebook]
Tapiwa enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and travelling. He comes from a sports family and hiss sister, Margret Makarawu, ran track & field (sprints) for the University of Zimbabwe
References
- Tapiwanashe MAKARAWU – World Athletics
- Tapiwanashe (Carlie) Makarawu – New Mexico Junior College
- Tapiwanashe Makarawu – NM Track and Field – Athletic
