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Tennis star Julius Taulo broke new ground when he won a doubles gold medal with South African partner Justin Visal in an international tournament held from September 3-7 in Maputo, Mozambique.
The circuit attracted players from the eastern, central and southern African countries. Malawi was represented by Taulo and Shireen Khan.
In the doubles final Taulo and Visal used thundering serves and ground strokes to bombard Antonio Bula and Alberto Laciano into submission with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat.
In the singles Taulo lost 3-6, 4-6 to South Africa’s number one seed Visal but to reach the semis he beat Peter Ndalangamanda of Swaziland 6-3, 6-1 before going past Laciano 6-3, 6-1.
He said his grand slam breakthrough was not easy because it was a competition full of top class players.
“It was tough, it being my first time to play in the money circuit. I am very happy to win a gold medal,” said Taulo.
Khan lost in the finals of the girls singles 2-6, 3-6 to Cecil Lorenzo of Mozambique. There were no girls doubles because of few players.
Lawn Tennis Association of Malawi (LTAM) head coach Thompson Mtengula thanked a Mr. Chikoti who sponsored Taulo’s trip to Mozambique to the tune of K30,000.
“It’s is great for Malawi to win a gold medal and that means our efforts have started bearing fruits,” said Mtengula.
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