Hi all,
My name is Mr. Pachisi Nyasulu, others call me coach Pach and others Mr Pach, either name is fine with me. I was at the 2022 commonwealth games in Birmingham in England as the athletics track coach and it was an amazing experience with my track athletes.
The highlight of the moment was when my female athlete Asimenye Simwaka
made it to the finals of the women’s 400m track sprint. She was the only African athlete beating the rest of the African athletes and other continents in the commonwealth. Her road to the finals was outstanding; she broke 3 personal records in the 400m, which are actually now national records. In each race she was improving and this was an unbelievable moment for the country and herself.
Asimenye lowered her times as follows from the quarterfinals, semifinals and to the finals, 52.19, 51.70 and 51.55. She finished 6th in the finals and this was the 1st time in over 36 years of Malawi participating in the commonwealth games.
As if it was ending, she also reached the semifinals of the women’200m and broke the national record in the time of 23.28. I know most of you were following the commonwealth games and I would like to say thank you for your encouragement and support Bishop Mackenzie this is not taken for granted. I am humbled everyday as you are excited to hear and understand the experience and that is encouraging. My duty now is to give back as usual to all the students as they will experience some of the skills that I have gained from the commonwealth games.
As if it was ending, she also reached the semifinals of the women’200m and broke the national record in the time of 23.28.
I know most of you were following the commonwealth games and I would like to say thank you for your encouragement and support Bishop Mackenzie this is not taken for granted. I am humbled everyday as you are excited to hear and understand the experience and that is encouraging. My duty now is to give back as usual to all the students as they will experience some of the skills that I have gained from the commonwealth games.
Birmingham was great and I hope to visit it again in future
the people were kind and welcoming and it was good to be at the commonwealth games amongst so many different people of different cultures and ideologies but with a common goal of fair competition, love and kindness towards one another.
We are looking forward to other games soon, all African games next year and then Paris Olympics in 2024. It is my wish as a coach that some of the students in Bishop Mackenzie should make it to the Olympics if they are willing to work at it.
Pachisi Nyasulu
PYP teacher (PHE)
Olympics & Commonwealth athletics track coach.