Short distance runner Asimenye Simwaka made an impact at the Paris Olympics, reaching the 100m quarter-finals despite struggling with an injury.
But she did not progress to the finals after failing to reach the semi-finals.
The Malawi Defence Force soldier qualified for the quarter-finals in 11.71 seconds in the heats, in a time which was slower than her personal best of 11.35.
However, in the quarterfinals, Asimenye was also slower in having registered 11.98 seconds.
South Africa-based athlete and manager Gloria Chitedze attributed the versatile, who is also a women’s football player, to an injury she sustained in the preliminary round.
She said: “She did superbly in the preliminary. That injury and the no rest between heats didn’t do her any good. She will be back.
“We all know that round one result is not her time in 100m. She can do better, but there were factors that contribute to her not to qualify. I am personally super proud of her and coach Pachisi (Nyasulu). We can go back to the drawing board.”
Malawi’s team leader at the Paris Olympic Games Naomi Chinatu said she did her best.
“She tried her best. That’s all what we can say and we thank God for the opportunity to be part of the world event. Let’s focus on swimmer Tayamika Chang’anamuno tomorrow in 50m freestyle,” she said.
