Phiri to represent MW at Taekwondo Championship
Joseph Phiri from Mzuzu Taekwando Club will represent Malawi at the World Taekwondo Championship to take place in South Korea from June 24-30.
He qualified for the tournament after winning the National Taekwondo Championship in April in Lilongwe.
According to Taekwondo Association of Malawi (TAM) chairperson, Benedict Tsinde, this will be the first time for the country to participate in such as high profile competition.
He said: “We are glad that we will have representation at this year’s World Taekwondo Championship. With the wonderful performance Phiri displayed at the National Championship, he stands a better chance to surprise the world in South Korea. My advice is that he needs intensive training. I talked to his coach to provide him all the necessary technical support.”
On his part, Phiri said he is looking forward to a better performance in South Korea.
“I will start camping on June 9. I have a good coach and there is no reason I can fail to impress at this tournament,” he said.
Mzuzu Taekwando Club coach Taipeni Kamanga said they will support Phiri’s preparations for him to bring the much-needed gold.
He said: “This is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss. As his coach, I will provide the necessary technical support so that he performs well at the tournament.”
In the regional preparatory fight held at Mzuzu Youth Centre on Sunday between Botanic Taekwando Club and Mzuzu Taekwondo Club, Phiri knocked out Esau Kamwendo in seniors’ category. n
