Today promises another thrilling day of competition at the Paralympic Games in Paris, France, with Namibian athletes continuing to represent their nation on the global stage. 

Among those taking to the track is Petrus Karuli, who is set to compete in the T37 400 metre (m) heat at 11h16 this morning.

This will be his second event at the Games, following his debut on Friday in the men’s 100m T37 event. Although he gave a commendable performance, his time in the heats did not secure him a spot in the finals. 

Competing in heat 2, Karuli crossed the finish line in 12.74 seconds, earning him fifth place in his heat. Unfortunately, this time was not enough to advance him to the next round.

The T37 category, which is reserved for athletes with cerebral palsy, is known for its intense competition. The winning times in his heat were significantly faster, with the top finishers clocking in around 11.33 seconds. This serves as a reminder of the challenging nature of Paralympic competition, and the level of excellence required to advance.

In addition to Karuli, another Namibian athlete who may be competing in a final today is Lahja Ishitile. She is scheduled for a potential final at 20h00, though she was still set for the semi-final before going to print. 

Ishitile has already made waves by qualifying with a time of 12.12 seconds, setting an Area Record in the process. In her heat, Brazil’s Lorena Silva narrowly took first place with a time of 12.11 seconds, while Asila Mirzayorova of Uzbekistan ran a personal best of 13.08 seconds, but did not advance to the final.

Namibia’s Paralympic campaign has already seen success, with Ishitile securing a gold medal in the 400m event on Sunday, showcasing the strength of its athletes.

On Saturday, two more Namibian athletes, Ananias Shikongo with his guide Even Tjiuiju and Chris Kinda with his guide Kelvin Goagoseb, competed in the men’s 400m T11 Round One heats. Shikongo and Tjiuiju ran in the first round, finishing third in their heat with a time of 53.51 seconds. Unfortunately, this time placed them 11th overall, preventing them from advancing to the semi-finals. However, they will have another opportunity to compete in the 100m T11 tomorrow.

Kinda and Goagoseb fared slightly better, finishing their heat in 52.95 seconds, which earned them 8th position and a spot in the semi-finals. Despite this achievement, their time was not enough to advance to the final. Like Shikongo, they will also be competing in the 100m tomorrow, hoping to make their mark in the shorter sprint.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Namibian Paralympic sprinter Johannes Nambala faced disappointment after finishing last in the final of the men’s T13 100m race. Despite reaching the final with a seasonal best time of 11.10 seconds, Nambala could not match the pace of his competitors in the final. The event was won by Algerian sprinter and 100m world champion Skander Djamil Athmani, who clocked a time of 10.51 seconds, defeating world record holder Salum Ageze Kashafali of Norway.

As the Paralympic Games continue in Paris, running from 28 August to 8 September, Namibia’s athletes remain determined, showcasing their resilience and dedication on the world stage. -lmupetami@nepc.com.na