Malawian athletes competing at the 13th edition of the African Games in Accra, Ghana, have struggled to secure medals despite their impressive performances.
The team concluded their competitions yesterday, with Asimenye Simwaka and Stein Lifa competing in the semi-finals of the women’s 200m and men’s 200m races, respectively. However, both fell short of the required qualifying time and did not advance to the finals. As a result, Team Malawi returns home without any medals.
Malawi sent a team of ten athletes to the competition, with two representatives from each of the five sporting codes: swimming, judo, taekwondo, athletics, and boxing.
In swimming, Luka Smit and Tayamika Chayanga’namuno both broke their personal best records but were unable to progress to the next level of the competition due to not meeting the required standard time. They were eliminated in the preliminary stage.
In boxing, Lewis Zakeyu Mbewe and Elias Bonzo faced tough opponents in the competition. Zakeyu Mbewe lost by unanimous decision to Abdelaziz Gomma of Egypt, while Bonzo also suffered defeat against Mathias Napaonga of Burundi. Consequently, Zakeyu Mbewe and Bonzo were eliminated in the preliminary stages.
In taekwondo, Joseph Phiri Jr., competing in the 68 kg category, lost to Okowange Angala from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vester Banda, Phiri Jr.’s compatriot, also faced a difficult opponent and easily lost to an Egyptian competitor.
In judo, Chikondi Kathewela, competing in the 66 kg male category, lost on points to Phuthego Tumiso from Botswana. Similarly, Olivia Chikwapula, competing in the 57 kg female category, was defeated by Sidaouic Chaima from Tunisia via knockout.
Athletics provided hope for the country to secure a medal at the competition as Asimenye Simwaka and Stein Lifa managed to reach the semi-finals of the women’s 400m and 200m races, and the men’s 200m race, respectively. However, they fell short of the standard qualifying time and did not advance to the finals of both events.
The 13th edition of the African Games in Accra, Ghana, began on March 8 and will conclude on Sunday, March 24, 2024.