Malawian top female athlete AsimenyeSimwaka’s sheer quality once again shone like a beacon at the Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone, Botswana where she finished second in the women’s 400-metre B Race on Saturday.

The feat saw her qualify for the 2023 Diamond League, having made it into the top seven overall.

The Malawi Defence Force athlete stunned organisers by beating two A Race athletes.

Asimenye clocked 52 minutes, 28 seconds behind the pool’s eventual winner Rhoda Njobvu of Zambia who clocked 51.96.

Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) director of administration and programmes Naomi Chinatu said at the Grand Prix, which attracts the cream of the continent and beyond, athletes are divided into two groups.

She said: “Race A comprises athletes that are classified as the elite while the others compete in Race B.

“Overall, 15 athletes took part in the 400m women’s category and having finished seventh overall, Asimenye automatically qualified for the Diamond League as only the top seven make the grade.”

Despite her achievement, Asimenye failed to beat her personal best of 51.55.Nevertheless, that could not stop her from celebrating her feat.

She said: “Being the first competition of the season, I am so excited and happy with my performance.

“But I hope to improve my performance in the upcoming tournaments guided by my coach [Pachisi Nyasulu].”

On his part, Nyasulu said he was impressed with Asimenye’s performance, considering that during training, she was clocking between 53 and 54 minutes.

He said: “This is very good for her and we are hoping that she will continue to do better, especially when we work on her shortfalls.

“The target is that she should reduce her time further to at least 51 or thereabouts.”

Mary Maora from Kenya was the overall winner after clocking 50.44. The tournament attracted top athletes from within the continent and beyond

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