Ngonidzashe Makusha
A Zimbabwean speed and spring who stunned the track world by matching an NCAA double-gold feat last achieved by Carl Lewis.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Zimbabwean sprinter and athletics competitor·Birthday: March 11·Millennials
Biography
Born in 1987 in Zimbabwe, Ngonidzashe Makusha emerged as a rare dual-threat in sprinting and the long jump. His athletic journey took a pivotal turn at Florida State University, where he honed his craft under the American collegiate system. The 2011 NCAA Championships became his defining moment: on the Des Moines track, he first blazed to a 100-meter victory in 9.89 seconds, then soared 8.40 meters to claim the long jump title. This double gold placed him on an incredibly short list of athletes to accomplish the feat, a lineage including Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis. Those marks remain Zimbabwean national records, cementing his status as the country's greatest track and field athlete. Though injuries later hampered his Olympic aspirations, his explosive 2011 season stands as a testament to raw, multifaceted talent.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ngonidzashe was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ngonidzashe Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Ngonidzashe's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 100m and long jump double gold at the 2011 NCAA Division I Championships.
- Holds the Zimbabwean national record in the 100m with a time of 9.89 seconds.
- Holds the Zimbabwean national record in the long jump with a distance of 8.40 meters.
- Became one of only five athletes in NCAA history to complete the 100m-long jump double.
Did You Know?
His 100m time of 9.89 seconds in 2011 made him the then-fastest man in NCAA history.
He was a three-time NCAA champion, also winning the long jump title in 2008.
He studied and trained at Florida State University in the United States.
“I won the NCAA long jump and 100 meters on the same day.”
