Tanzania’s sprinter Winfrida Makenji has made history after breaking a 47-year-old national record in the women’s 200 metres and qualifying for the semi-final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Makenji clocked 23.88 seconds to erase the previous national record of 23.92 seconds, which had stood since it was set by Nzaeli Kyomo during the 1979 African Games held in Dakar, Senegal.
The remarkable performance not only secured a new national mark but also earned Makenji a place in the semi-final, keeping alive her hopes of advancing to the final and competing for a medal on one of the biggest sporting stages.
Her achievement marks a major milestone for Tanzanian athletics, as she becomes the first woman in nearly five decades to surpass the long-standing 200 metres record, demonstrating the country’s growing competitiveness in sprint events.
Makenji is expected to return to the track on July 30 for the semi-final, where she will battle for a place in the final as she continues to fly Tanzania’s flag at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
