Rwanda’s middle and long distance runner Salome Nyirarukundo has raised the bar with a target of winning the country’s first ever medal at the forthcoming 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4 to April 15.

This follows her victory at the just concluded Barcelona half marathon.

On Sunday last week, the APR athletics club runner debuted at the 2018 Barcelona half marathon clocking one hour, 8 minutes and 48 seconds to clinch a bronze medal.

This was her first international medal in 2018 following an injury sustained during the 2017 IAAF World Championships that were held in August in London.

"Winning a medal is a good thing but to me I was extremely happy to beat my personal best and it’s a great motivation, with the Commonwealth Games next, I believe winning a medal is surely possible and I have to say it’s now my target,” the 21-year old who won the inaugural Kigali half marathon two weeks ago noted.

She beat her personal best of one hour, 13 minutes and 55 seconds, which she had recorded during the 2016 Kigali International Half Marathon.

Nyirarukundo is among the 18 athletes that will carry Rwanda’s flag at the quadrennial event. Rwanda will be represented in four sports disciplines namely cycling that will comprise of nine riders comprised of six men and three women, athletics including six athletes composed of three men and three women.

Others are the women beach volleyball team composed of only two players and power lifting with one male player.

Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009 and debuted at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi, India and competed again at the 2014 edition that was hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, however the country is yet to win any medal.

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