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| Sports |
| Chikwakwa wins two gold medals |
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by
Leonard Sharra , 08 July 2003
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18:50:12
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True to her word, Malawi’s top female athlete Catherine Chikwakwa won two gold medals from the Southern Africa Senior Track and Field Championships held over the weekend at Independence Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia.
Chikwakwa, who came home from training in Europe 11 days ago, promised upon arrival at Lilongwe International Airport that she would prove at the Southern Africa region championships that she is in for serious business.
According to Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) general secretary Haxon Chapasa, Chikwakwa did more than she promised by bringing two gold medals from the regional event.
“I am yet to get full results from the competition but according to what I have, Chikwakwa has brought two gold medals after coming tops in the 10,000 and 5,000 metre races. Francis Munthali won a silver in the 1,500 metre race while Takondwa Phiri scooped another silver in shotput.
“In total, there are two gold medals, two silver and six bronze medals,” said Chapasa on Tuesday.
The AAM general secretary described the performance by Malawian athletes as encouraging.
“Though some athletes did not fare well, the performance by Chikwakwa, Munthali and others is very encouraging. When people sponsor our athletes, they look for such positive results,” he said.
Chapasa was referring to, among others, South Korean Honorary Consul to Malawi Suk Young Kim who sponsored the trip to Zambia to the tune of K144,000.
Twelve countries out of the 14 Sadc nations reportedly took part in the competition.
On a negative note, the AAM says all the participating athletes were dumped at a lodging venue in Zambia without being given a training ground.
“They were just dumped without being given any training ground. There was also nobody to guide them,” said Chapasa.
The Malawian athletes came back on Tuesday.
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