National Sports

Nalicy Chirwa wins silver in SA road race

South Africa-based Malawian athlete Nalicy Chirwa won silver in a 25-kilometre (km) road race in Durban, South Africa.

Chirwa, who joined Durban’s Orcas Academy Athletics Club, clocked 1:23 hours (hrs)  and she received R10 000 (about K500 000).

Champion Janet Mbhele finished in 1:19 hrs while third-placed Zethu Mkhize clocked 1:40 hrs and they received R25 000 (about K1 250 00) and R5 000 K250 000), respectively.

Chirwa (L): This was my fourth race

She said this was her fourth competition under the club.

“I have competed in four races and I am encouraged by the support I am getting,” Chirwa said.

In an interview yesterday, her manager Mthokozisi Khuzwayo commended the athlete, saying she has potential to excel at high level.

“Since she joined the club, I like her because she is a hard worker and very strong. She is an ambitious young lady at her age [20] and what she is doing is unbelievable. She is eager to learn and compete at high level.

“Her performance is good showing that she is improving,” he said.

Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) general secretary Frank Chitembeya said in an interview yesterday that Chirwa’s success proves that Malawian athletes are good.

“We are aware that Nalicy Chirwa has done well in South Africa. She has been impressive. Even when she was here, she won the Blantyre Marathon which was organised by Malawi National Council of Sports last year.

“This just shows that we have good athletes and they only lack resources,” he said.

Chitembeya said short distance runner Stain Lifa’s gold medal feat at Gaborone International Meet where he clocked 21.75 seconds is within B-standard of automatic Olympic Games qualifying time.n

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