Duo heads to Germany for Berlin Open Grand Prix

Rwandan Paralympians Hermas Cliff Muvunyi and Jean Claude Ndayisenga last evening travelled to Germany ahead of this year’s Berlin Open Grand Prix which is scheduled for July 16-17. Muvunyi, a former world champion in the Men 800m-T46 category, will be using the competition to enhance his preparations for the 2016 Paralympic Games slated for September 7-18 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Rio, he will compete in both 400m and 1500m T-46 categories. He qualified for the Rio Paralympics after outstanding performance at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, where he won gold in 400m T-46. Meanwhile, his compatriot Ndayisenga, who runs in the 400m-T47 category, will be aiming to use the Berlin Open Grand Prix as his last chance to book a ticket to Rio. Having already attained the Olympic Selection Time (OST), also known as minima B, Ndayisenga will be vying to attain the Olympic Qualification Time (OQT), also known as minima A, which is currently set at 50 seconds and 30 microseconds. The 25-year-old athlete is currently clocking 51 seconds and is hopeful to make the grade in Germany in order to achieve a life-time dream. “We have had excellent preparations and both players are physically and mentally ready, we hope to do well and probably qualify another athlete for the Rio Paralympic Games,” said head coach Eric Karasira. The two-day tournament is set to attract top athletes from around the world to get a taste of what they can expect during the Rio Paralympics Games. Rwanda has already booked two Paralympic Games tickets, namely, the women sitting volleyball team that will represent the African continent, as well as Muvunyi. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Sports

Duo heads to Germany for Berlin Open Grand Prix