Jean-Claude Ndayisenga has come short of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games after the Rwandan Paralympian failed to register the minimum time required to book a ticket. Ndayisenga failed in his bid during the Berlin Open Grand Prix that concluded on Sunday in Germany. The 25-year old, along with highly rated Hermas Muvunyi, who has already qualified for the Summer Games, won a medal each in Berlin however. Nonetheless, it was not enough to land Ndayisenga a ticket to Rio. Ndayisenga, competing in the men’s 400m-T47 category, finished third clocking 55 seconds and 47 microseconds to claim a bronze medal, but missed out on the Olympic Qualification Time (OQT), also known as minima A, which is currently set at 50 seconds and 30 microseconds. Meanwhile, Muvunyi, a former world champion in the Men 800m-T46 category, impressed again in his 400m-T46 race, finishing second, after clocking 50 seconds and 97 microseconds to claim a silver medal. He was 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 performances at the 2015 All Africa Games in the Republic of Congo, where he won gold in 400m T-46. The two-day tournament had attracted top athletes from 51 countries to get a taste of what they can expect during the Rio Paralympics Games. Rwanda women sitting volleyball team will represent the African continent in Rio. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
