If 2018 is already a memorable year for any local sportsman, then it has to be Noel Hitimana.

The APR Athletics Club runner, almost anonymous until May 20, 2018, defied the odds to strike gold in the men’s half-marathon at this year’s Kigali International Peace Marathon.

By winning the gold medal, Hitimana stamped his mark among Rwandan greats in the annual Peace Marathon, one of the only three Rwandans to do so since the event’s inception thirteen years ago.

Legendary Dieudonné Disi became the first Rwandan to win the highly coveted accolade in 2006, a record he would hold for eleven years until youngster Salomé Nyirarukundo claimed the half-marathon event in women’s category last year. She retained the crown last month.

This week, Saturday Sport caught up with Hitimana and he narrated humble beginnings and journey from a traditional dancer in the National Ballet Urukerereza to a celebrated athlete.

Background

Born on June 20, 1990 in Nyanza District, Southern Province, Hitimana lost his father, Emmanuel Ngamije, and six siblings during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Since then, he and two of his siblings were single-handedly raised by his ‘brave’ mother Flavia Mukamuyenzi.

"I never had a chance to be raised by my father or, enjoy growing up with all my siblings. However soon they left us, they left us with a brave mother.” Hitimana praised his mother.

Hitimana attended Inyagasozi Primary School in Muyira Sector, Nyanza district and that was the end of the road for his studies. Financial constraints forced him to drop out at the age of 14, and instead started helping his mother to earn some money – to sustain the family.

"I may sound crazy or unrealistic but I have not completely given up on my education dream, one day I will go back and pick up from where I left off. But first, I have to earn some financial freedom and stability.” A notably optimistic Hitimana said.

As a child, Hitimana used to sneak out, to go learn how to dance in a neighboring ballet, without permission from his mother. He says it had been his passion since childhood.

Despite having ditched the traditional dancing as a career almost eight years ago, Hitimana’s love for traditional music and dance has never worn off.  Before, switching to athletics, Hitimana was a dancer for the Urekerereza – the national ballet.

The soft spoken Hitimana says he relinquished dancing in 2011 for ‘greener pastures’ in sports and believed he could stand a good chance in athletics. He fell in love with the sport after watching legend Dieudonne Disi win men’s half-marathon gold at the 2006 Kigali International Peace Marathon.

Athletics career

In 2013, he joined APR athletics club, the same year that he marked his debut at the 9th edition of Kigali Peace Marathon. Unfortunately, it was never an easy start as he finished in the 17th position overall and 7th among Rwandans in the men’s half-marathon.

But he never gave up. Instead, he stepped up his daily training dose. The following year, he represented the country at the continental championship in Uganda, where he put up yet another under par performance – finishing in the 48th position in 10,000 meters.

After several attempts for a maiden career medal in domestic competitions, Hitimana tried his luck at the 2016 Kenya Cross Country Championship, only to register another poor performance.

However, he finished in the fifth place in Kigali Peace Marathon the same year, something that he says encouraged him to work harder and stopped him from giving up.

After over six years of trying so hard on his own with no silverware in the cabinet, Hitimana started consulting some of his friends and coaches, on what it would take him to do better and better until a friend, Egide Harerimana, recommended him a two-month training camp earlier this year at the IAAF Centre of Excellence in Eldoret, Kenya.

On his return from the intensive training in Kenya, Hitimana was selected among the only three athletes to represent Rwanda at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championship in Valencia, Spain – on March 24 – where he clocked 1 hour, 2 minutes and 53 seconds to finish in the 42nd out of 160 entries from all over the world.

The 2018 Kigali Peace Marathon, time to shine!

"Despite taking me too long, I never doubted myself for even one single day. When I was preparing for the Kigali Peace Marathon, I decided to focus more on the mental and tactical aspects, that’s how I prevailed. Athletics is more than just the physique.” Hitimana revealed to Saturday Sport on Thursday.

The Rwanda international further added that,” Kigali Peace Marathon is one of the races I respect, I have always wanted to win a medal here.”

The 28-year old used 1 hour, 16 minutes and 16 seconds to clinch gold in men’s half-marathon, 45 seconds ahead of silver medalist Kipkmoi Kipsanga of Kenya. Moses Kemei Kengeitch, another Kenyan, crossed the finish-line 57 seconds after Hitimana to scoop bronze.

What others say about him

Harerimana is a close friend and personal advisor to Hitimana since joined athletics. He also played a crucial role during his preparations for this year’s Kigali International Peace Marathon.

"Hitimana is a disciplined, respectful, responsible and hardworking man, a lot more achievements will come. The Peace Marathon gold medal is only the beginning.” Harerimana told Saturday Sport in a separate interview.

Apart from his longtime friend Harerimana, the national team coach Eric Karasira is another person who has molded Hitimana to be where he is today and Karasira says that "With his zeal to learn and never-give-up spirit, Hitimana is far from done.”

Inspiration

Just like any other athlete who has had a source of inspiration, Hitimana fetches his inspiration from veteran Dieudone Disi of Rwanda and Kenya’s star Olympian Steven Chepoge.

"Disi has inspired me a lot, and he still does. On global scene, Chepoge is the kind of runner I aspire to be. Every time I visit Kenya, I meet him but we briefly talk because he is a busy man.”

Dream before retirement

After winning his first gold medal in eight years, Hitimana has now shifted focus on the upcoming Bugesera 20km road race on June 17 and the August Military Games in Kenya.

Nonetheless, his dream is to win a medal on the world stage before he hangs up his racing shoes.

After retirement, the athletics sensation plans to venture into coaching and development programs of the sport in the country, to inspire future generations of athletes.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw