Malawi swimmer Tafatatha breaks own record, but fails to qualify for semi-finals at London Olympics

Malawi’s budding swimmer Joyce Tafatatha has broken her personal best record and won her 50m freestyle heat, but failed to reach the semi-final of the 50m free style women’s swimming event at the on-going London Olympic Games.

Tafatatha emerged the winner in her heat after clocking 27:74 breaking her personal best record by two seconds.

The 14-year-old swimmer is the first Malawi swimmer to win her heat at the Olympics.

Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) treasurer Jappie Mhango described the result as extra-ordinary.

“This is quite unusual. It is amazing and incredible. It is not easy to reduce time. We are excited with her achievement and we wish her the best,” he said.

Mhango said he was not surprised that Tafatatha had improved.

“She demonstrated the right attitude during the camp which Team Malawi had at University of Gloucestershire prior to the Olympic Games’,” he said.

In the same event, Blantyre born Cate Campbell qualified for the semi-finals for Australia clocking 24:94 3 seconds faster than Tafatatha. Cate also won gold for Australia in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay.

Team Malawi also comprises of athletes Ambwene Simukonda and long distance runner Mike Tebulo.