Pride and honour!

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa Namibia Paralympic silver medallist Ananias Shikongo hopes that people will realise how important the global event is after he scooped his fourth medal.“I am really happy with what we did today. This silver medal belongs to Namibia and Paralympian athletes.“This is the role that we are playing in the country to show that Paralympics is important in the country,” Shikongo told his coach Michael Hamukwaya in a video interview.Namibia Paralympics Committee (NPC) secretary-general Michael Hamukwaya heaped praise on Shikongo for his silver medal heroics.Descarrega Puigdev of Spain took gold (50.42 seconds) while Gautier Makunda of France took bronze (51.74). Shikongo finished in 51.14.Pride and honourHamukwaya said Shikongo has dedicated his life to his country - against all odds.“They always represent the country with pride and honour and we hope that corporate Namibia will come on board and sponsor these athletes who never disappoint,” he said.Shikongo’s performance has cemented his place as one of the Paralympic Games greats after he achieved a remarkable gold, silver and bronze at Rio 2016.His recent silver medal shows a significant improvement in the 400m category. Shikongo’s guide Sem Shimanda expressed excitement over the victory.“I am feeling happy because it was not easy from the heats to lift this silver medal.“To the Namibian people, we are bringing this medal for you,” he said. TragicShikongo hails from Okankolo in the Oshikoto Region, where he experienced one of the most tragic events of his life.Shikongo first lost his eye to an arrow before tragically losing the other eye to a donkey kick, leaving him completely blind.Just like many other Paralympians, Shikongo found inspiration in sport, becoming one of the country’s icons.After his 2016 exploits, former Namibian Sun journalist Kaino Nghitongo broke the story of Shikongo’s poor living conditions.The athlete and Johannes Nambala shared a small shack without water and electricity in the Goreangab informal settlement. His situation, however, changed for the better after Standard Bank Namibia built him a house worth N$500 000.The loving and kind Shikongo decided to share the house with Nambala, who is also competing at the Paralympics Games.NPC’S Hamukwaya said there is still hope for Lahja Ishitile (200m) and Johannes Nambala (400m) to claim a medal with pending events this week.Shikongo will also compete in the T11 100m races on Wednesday.

Pride and honour!

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-20

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Pride and honour!

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-20

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