KINTELE – Ananias Shikongo claimed Namibia ‘s first gold medal at the 2015 All Africa Games when he won the T11 100m final in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo on Tuesday.
Shikongo, who has a visual impairment, clocked 11,40 seconds in the final, followed by Olesegun Rotawo of Nigeria in 11,63 and Charles Atagana of Cameroon in 11,69.
Shikongo ‘s winning time was equal to the mark he ran in Monday ‘s heats and he says he would have gone faster had the opposition been tougher.
Namibia has so far won six medals – one gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the 11th All Africa Games.
“I am really not getting the challenge here. Most of these guys are not in my class and I am using these games as preparation for the World Athletics Championships in Doha,” he said confidently.
The 2015 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships will be held in Doha, Qatar from 21 to 31 October 2015.
Shikongo won a silver and bronze medal at the 2013 IPC World Championships in Lyon, and is the current African T11 200m champion.
All athletes in the T11 class run blindfolded with the aid of a guide.
“I want to be fit for the championships next month because that is where my real competitors are and this time around, I want to beat them,” Shikongo told Nampa.
He was due to run in the 200m and 400m T11 and T13 categories on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In 2012, Shikongo was crowned Disabled Sportsman of the Year at the MTC/Namibia Sports Commission Sports Awards.
The African Games end on Saturday. – Nampa
