Wabam includes Kamanga, Lipato in C’Wealth squad

Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association of Malawi (Wabam) has included newly crowned Presidential Championships champion Stella Kamanga and her runner-up Bianca Lipato into the Commonwealth Games squad.

Wabam initially submitted to Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) a five-member all-men squad, but the association’s president, Richard Kuwali, said the decision to incorporate the two female athletes follows their impressive performances in last Saturday’s Presidential Championships.

Kamanga, who joined the sport three months ago, won the title on first appearance in a competitive event. She amassed 103 points (43 points in snatch and 60 points in cling and jerk), 12 points ahead of experienced Lipato.

According to Kuwali, they initially decided to leave out females athletes after noting that the former national champion Alinafe Mchochoma, who represented the country at the African Championships three years ago, would not make it as she has a three-month-old baby.

“We did not have a suitable replacement for Mchochoma, so we just thought of having an all-men squad. But the outstanding performances of the two females, especially Kamanga, have forced us to change our mind.

“We aim to win medals at the Commonwealth Games and we are confident that the inclusion of Kamanga and Lipato will boost our chances,” said Kuwali.