Malawi swimmers set for World Championship
Three Malawian swimmers Amara Pinto, Filipe Gomes and Tayamika Chayang’anamuno will fly the national flag at World Swimming Championship scheduled for July 20-30 in Budapest, Hungary.
Pinto will compete in 50-metres (m) freestyle and 100m breaststroke, Gomes is set for 100m and 200m breaststrokes while Chayang’anamuno goes for 50m breast stroke and 100m freestyle.
Malawian Aquatic Union (MAU) vice-president Yona Walesi, who is also the national coach, said the delegation will leave tomorrow.
He said Pinto and Chayang’anamuno, who will compete in the women’s category while Gomes in the men’s category, were geared for the competition.
“The swimmers are all set to compete despite facing financial challenges in our preparations as we only had non-residential camp at St. Andrews International High School in Blantyre,” Walesi said.
“The weather was also too cold as we don’t have heated pools to enable them withstand the cold weather in winter.”
He said the world swimming federation would meet all the travel and accommodation expenses for the five-member team while Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has offered money to buy attire.
Pinto said it was an honour to represent Malawi at such a big competition.
“It is an honour to represent my country every time I am selected. I will do my best to improve on my time,” she said.
Pinto said the competition would also offer her a platform to interact with swimmers from other countries.
“This is a big competition and I am looking forward to socialise with other swimmers so as to learn one or two tricks.”
Apart from Walesi, the three athletes will be accompanied by MAU administrator Monica Chayang’anamuno as team manager. n
