Musanze-born one-armed long distance runner Emmanuel Niyibizi has been guaranteed full support to explore his talent by Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) and National Paralympic Committee (NPC).

This follows the teenager’s record-breaking performance in the Musanze ‘Peace Marathon’ - Northern Province race held last week on Sunday in Musanze District.

The 17-aged Niyibizi who only has one arm competed in the men’s 15km race and his performance amazed spectators when he reached the finish line second, which provoked chants from the spectators, agitating for his support to develop his talent.

"It’s unbelievable, having such confidence to compete with able-bodied athletes yet you finish in an impressive second place; it  indicates too much passion he has for the sport and we are going to do all possible to facilitate him,” said Jean Paul Munyandamutsa the president of RAF.

He further noted that the athletics federation will work together with the local paralympics committee to ensure he realises his dream.

"Actually we have noted other talents here in their early teens, who paused a major challenge to senior players.

We have really talented athletes here and we must select them to help them reach a brighter future,” he added.

In a separate interview with Times Sport, Niyibizi expressed his excitement, saying that his dream is to become of one of Rwanda’s best athletes and raise the national flag both on the continental and global level.

"It is a great achievement for me, I did not under rate myself before the competition because in my individual trainings I always compete with non-disabled people, I want to represent my country in the future at different levels; I want to do more and I am very optimistic,” said Niyibizi

Who is Niyibizi?

Born on January 15 1999 in Kabere sector, Musanze District, Niyibizi is the only child to his late father, whom he only recalls one name, Sibomana, and Mother Pascasia Nyiransengiyumva.

The teenag runner was born a normal boy before his further died when he was just three months old and her mum shifted to Cyabagarura sector in Musaze to stay with his grandmother where they still live today.

He attended Gahondogo Primary school for his entire primary education and later joined Cyabagarura Secondary School and is now set to sit for his Ordinary level examinations this year.

It was in 2008 that the soft-spoken lost his arm, after falling from an avocado tree. During the fall, his arm was badly injured that it has to be mutilated from Musanze hospital.

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