By Mphatso Malidadi:
Malawian archer, Areneo David, won a silver medal in an 18-metre indoor championship staged in Switzerland on Sunday.
The competition attracted 30 participants and David, who is on a two-year Olympic Solidarity scholarship ahead of next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games, scooped second position.
In a Whatsapp message, David said the medal has inspired him to aim for more ahead of the Games in Japan.
“I want the nation to know that I will continue working hard so that I get more medals to enhance my chances of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” he said.
Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) Public Relations Officer, Kythrina Phiri, said David’s performance has given the country high hopes ahead of the Games.
“Next month, David will be going to compete in Bangladesh at the third ISSF International Solidarity World Ranking Archery Championship in Dhaka. This is in the 70-metre outdoor category. The competition will be used as a qualifier for Tokyo 2020. And since we have not yet qualified, this has given us high hopes,” Phiri said.
Malawi Archery Association General Secretary, Henry Sakala, said the association is excited with David’s exploits.
“He has the potential to make it big. No wonder, he was offered a scholarship ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. We do not doubt that he will qualify for the Olympics,” Sakala said.
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