Shikongo through to semis
Namibia's T11 athlete Ananias Shikongo has qualified for the semi-finals of the 100m after finishing second in heat four at the Dubai Club for People of Determination.
Shikongo and 12 other Namibian athletes are competing at the 2019 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Para Athletics Championships underway in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Shikongo, who missed out on a final spot in the T11 400m on Sunday, brought his A-game yesterday morning, as he ran a season best of 11.43 seconds to finish second behind Lucas Prado of Brazil, who ran the fastest time of 11.15 seconds. This was also Prado's season best as well as the fastest time that was recorded in all the four T11 100m heats in the morning. Meanwhile, Namibia's young star Alfredo 'The Bullet' Bernardo and his guide Sydney Kamuaruuma missed out on a spot in the semi-finals after finishing third in heat two of the T11 100m.Bernardo ran a personal best of 11.87 seconds in a heat that was won by French athlete Timothee Adolphe and his guide Bruno Naprix, with a season best of 11.21 seconds.
Speaking to Nampa after the race Bernardo said it was always his personal dream to run under 12 seconds.
“I feel proud that I ran 11.87 seconds; this shows that I must continue working hard so I can compete at the same level as these elite athletes,” he said.Shikongo said the heats were just the start, as hard times are still ahead and he is looking forward to making the finals.
“I'm happy I made the semi-finals, but I need to be more focused for the big guns in the semi-finals, as well as improve on my season best, maybe with a time of 11.20 seconds, and then in the final, go for that medal,” he said. Shikongo and his guide Even Tjivu were due to compete in the semi-finals of the men's T11 100m heats yesterday evening.Lahja Ishitile and her guide Kamuaruuma were also due to compete in the T11 200m heats during the evening session yesterday night.
NAMPA
Shikongo and 12 other Namibian athletes are competing at the 2019 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Para Athletics Championships underway in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Shikongo, who missed out on a final spot in the T11 400m on Sunday, brought his A-game yesterday morning, as he ran a season best of 11.43 seconds to finish second behind Lucas Prado of Brazil, who ran the fastest time of 11.15 seconds. This was also Prado's season best as well as the fastest time that was recorded in all the four T11 100m heats in the morning. Meanwhile, Namibia's young star Alfredo 'The Bullet' Bernardo and his guide Sydney Kamuaruuma missed out on a spot in the semi-finals after finishing third in heat two of the T11 100m.Bernardo ran a personal best of 11.87 seconds in a heat that was won by French athlete Timothee Adolphe and his guide Bruno Naprix, with a season best of 11.21 seconds.
Speaking to Nampa after the race Bernardo said it was always his personal dream to run under 12 seconds.
“I feel proud that I ran 11.87 seconds; this shows that I must continue working hard so I can compete at the same level as these elite athletes,” he said.Shikongo said the heats were just the start, as hard times are still ahead and he is looking forward to making the finals.
“I'm happy I made the semi-finals, but I need to be more focused for the big guns in the semi-finals, as well as improve on my season best, maybe with a time of 11.20 seconds, and then in the final, go for that medal,” he said. Shikongo and his guide Even Tjivu were due to compete in the semi-finals of the men's T11 100m heats yesterday evening.Lahja Ishitile and her guide Kamuaruuma were also due to compete in the T11 200m heats during the evening session yesterday night.
NAMPA
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article