Hesron Kapanga
PARIS – Lahja Ishitile and her guide Sem Shimanda progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s T11 400-metre race on Sunday evening after setting a new African record.
They ran a time of 58.46 seconds to set a new African record, breaking their previous record of 58.97 seconds, which they set while competing at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in Brazil.
Another Namibian who competed in Sunday’s race was T37 sprinter Petrus Karuli, who missed out on a spot in the final of the men’s 100m after finishing fourth in his heat. Karuli ran a time of 12.59 seconds.
Namibian athletes competing in the 2023 IPC World Para Athletic Championships are T11 male sprinters Ananias Shikongo, Kinda Chris and Alfredo Bernado; T11 female sprinter Lahja Ishitile; T12 sprinter Lahja Ipinge; T13 sprinter Johannes Nambala; T47 sprinter Bradley Murere; T37 sprinter Petrus Karuli, and T44 sprinter Denzel Namene.
Meanwhile, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Anderson Pierson has called on athletes to break world records while competing at the 2023 Paris World Para Athletics Championships.
Over 1 300 athletes from 107 nations will be competing in 168 medal events at the 2023 IPC World Para Athletics Championships, underway in the French capital from 8 to 17 July.
The 10th edition of the 2023 Paris World Para Athletics Championships will make history as the Para Athletics World Championships kicked off at the Charlety Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Pierson said for the first time, the world championships take place in a place that will be hosting the Paralympic Games the following year, and this is an opportunity for athletes to familiarise themselves with the venue and conditions of the city that will be hosting one of the biggest events in the world.
“This allows athletes to learn and break records as they prepare for the Paralympic Games. Some of the athlete’s journey to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games begins here. I, therefore, call on all of you to take this time and opportunity to enjoy yourselves while competing at these championships as you prepare for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games,” he said.
The major international multi-sport event involves athletes with a range of disabilities and is governed by the IPC. - Nampa