By Daniel Nhakaniso
Zimbabwean sprint star Makanakaishe Charamba will return to the Diamond League circuit when he competes in the men’s 200m at the Doha Diamond League meeting on Friday.
The Olympic finalist heads into the race in impressive form after recently clocking a personal best of 19.88 seconds to win the 200m at the USATF Lone Star Grand Prix in Texas.
Charamba already has fond memories of the Diamond League, having finished third in the men’s 200m at the Monaco Diamond League meeting in July last year.
The podium finish against a world-class field highlighted his growing stature in international sprinting and formed part of a breakthrough season that culminated in an Olympic final appearance.
Charamba will face a strong international field that includes South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, American Kyree King, Dominican Republic’s Alexander Ogando, Cuba’s Reynier Mena and Botswana’s Selepe Prince Phaezel.
The Doha meeting is part of the prestigious Diamond League series and will provide another opportunity for the Zimbabwean sprinter to test himself against some of the world’s leading athletes as he continues his build-up to the major championships later this season.
Originally scheduled for early May, the Doha meeting was moved to June and will now bring together some of the strongest fields of the season so far, including several events featuring global champions.