Reigning world men’s T46 800m champion Hermas Cliff Muvunyi has started preparations ahead of a busy athletics season next year that includes qualifying for the 2016 Rio Paralympics Games in Brazil.

Muvunyi, who returned to competitive action at the National Athletics Championships on Saturday for the first time after 15 months, is optimistic that he will once again qualify for the prestigious event.

The 26-year-old, who won Rwanda’s first gold medal at the IPC World Championships in Nice, France last year suffered a knee injury at the world event but after rehabilitation, he believes he is on his way back to full fitness.

Muvunyi, who features for APR athletics club, finished second in the men’s 400m race after clocking 49.74 seconds which was 53 micro seconds behind winner and teammate Saidi Ndayisaba.

Competing against able-bodied athletes has been very crucial for Muvunyi who has revealed that he wants to replicate his form at next year’s All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Muvunyi won gold in the men’s T46 400m and 800m events at the 2011 continental showpiece in Maputo, Mozambique but missed out on a medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games by a whisker.