Malawian athletes competing at the ongoing 13th edition of the African Games in Accra, Ghana, have faced significant challenges as they have lost all the events, they have participated in.
So far, Team Malawi has taken part in judo and swimming, but the results have been far from impressive. In judo, Chikondi Kathewela, competing in the 66 kg male category, lost to Phuthego Tumiso from Botswana on points. Similarly, Olivia Chikwapula, competing in the 57 kg female category, was defeated by Sidaouic Chaima from Tunisia through a knockout.
In swimming, both Luka Smit and Tayamika Chang’anamuno have also faced challenges and failed to advance to the next round. Smit finished in 31st place out of 51 participants in the men’s 50m freestyle, and he also failed to meet the qualifying standards in the men’s 100m freestyle, men 50 m butterfly and 200 m freestyle. Likewise, Chang’anamuno finished in 25th place out of 37 participants in the women’s 50m freestyle, and she also failed to meet the qualifying standards in the women’s 100m freestyle, women’s 50 m butterfly and 200 m freestyle although both managed to beat their personal best.
These results mean that the judo and swimming teams have been eliminated in the preliminary stages of the competition.
The boxing events will commence tomorrow, March 14, 2024, with Elias Bonzo and Luka Zakeyu putting on their boxing gloves to showcase their prowess on the continental stage. On Sunday, March 17, 2024 Taekwondo will go into action, while athletes, Asimenye Simwaka and Stain Lifa will start their events on Monday, March 18, 2024.
Malawi is represented by 10 athletes competing in five different sports disciplines: boxing, swimming, judo, Taekwondo, and athletics. The competition started on March 8 and will end on March 24, 2024.