The pride of Namibian Paralympics

Jesse Jackson KauraisaWindhoekAnanias Shikongo, a member of Namibia’s golden Paralympic generation and one of the most successful athletes in the country’s Paralympic history, has defied many odds in his career, and now faces another challenge as he enters into competition at the Commonwealth Games.Shikongo will compete in the T11/12 100m heats, taking place between 13:05 and 13:13 today.Hailing from the Okankolo constituency in the Oshikoto Region, Shikongo has won all that has been on offer during his illustrious career.The 36-year-old athlete enters this year’s event on the back of a successful Tokyo 2020 Olympics.He won Namibian silver in the 400 T11 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games under different weather conditions.With age not on his side, the Namibia Paralympics Committee is hopeful that Namibia’s son of the soil will conquer the track in the United Kingdom.AbilityCommittee secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya is banking on Shikongo achieving success and being in reach of the podium due to his experience and mental strength.“As the Paralympics Committee, we have strong belief that Shikongo is capable of pulling off a great performance in Birmingham.“He did qualify there because he is good, and he will definitely not just be there to make up numbers.“He has been there before and nothing will deter him from performing well in this event,” Hamukwaya said.OvercomingLike many para-athletes, Shikongo faced a difficult upbringing after losing sight in both eyes in two separate incidents during his childhood.The talented athlete, however, rose to fame in 2011 after winning a 200m gold and a 400m bronze at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.Shikongo has gone on to win more than 15 medals in different high calibre events, with one of his most famous successes achieved at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, where he won a 200m gold and a 100m and 400m bronze.“The fact that he and Bradley Murere are there representing Namibia is big for every Paralympic athlete and administrator in this country.“Murere and Shikongo have already done us proud by just being there and one can only wish them all the best of luck,” Hamukwaya added.Hamukwaya extended good wishes and best of luck to all Namibian participants competing in England.See a table listing all of Namibia’s athletes on the bottom right side of the page.

The pride of Namibian Paralympics

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

Please login to leave a comment

The pride of Namibian Paralympics

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

Please login to leave a comment

Login