Kanjadza, Mkavea delight inimproved performance

Team Malawi swimmers Danielle Lilly Kanjadza and Tasunje Mkavea finished second and fourth in their respective heats on the second day of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, but failed to qualify for the next round.

Kanjadza was the runner-up in Heat 1 of the Women’s 100-metre (m) freestyle after clocking 1:12.66 behind Tajikistan’s Gazieva Sofiyakhon, who won the heat in 1:11.89.

Beat her personal best time: Kanjadza.

However, the solace for the promising Malawian female swimmer was that she beat her personal best time.

It was also an improved performance from Kanjadza, who finished sixth in the 100m butterfly heat on day one after clocking 1:30.41.

In the men’s 100m freestyle, her male compatriot Mkavea finished fourth in Heat 3 after clocking 58.23.

He returns to the pool today for the 100m breaststroke.

In an interview yesterday from Dakar, swimming coach Aisha Itimu said Kanjadza produced her personal best and the team was proud of her improvement on the big stage.

“It was quite incredible and she is absolutely delighted and rightly so. For us, it is a moment of pride knowing that she has pushed herself and given her very best,” she said.

Itimu added that the team is optimistic for Mkavea’s 100m breaststroke today as it is his strongest stroke and the target is for him to swim confidently and do his best.

Meanwhile, in judo, Malawi’s Happiness Mtukula bowed out in the Women’s -63-kilogramme elimination round of 16 after a 0-101 defeat to Algeria’s Berrahoual Dounia.

Athlete Ishmael Spakar will compete in the boys’ 100m on November 8 as Team Malawi looks to build on the improved showing.

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