Paraplegic ‘Tupac’ makes cycling history

WINDHOEK – History was made in Namibia on Sunday when Frans ‘Tupac’ Paulus became the first disabled person to complete a major cycling event.

Paulus, a paraplegic, used his custom-made wheelchair fit for road and track racing to finish the 30 km race in the 20th Nedbank Cycle Tour. His fellow wheelchair-bound participant Gideon Ndaluka had a bad fall and could not complete the race.Paulus, who specialises in 800-metres and 1500-metres races, was very pleased with his performance.He told Nampa after the race that it was easy.”The wind held me back a bit but other than that it was fine,” he said.The 25-year-old added that route was not too difficult as he only experienced two short climbs on the way.He appreciates all the encouragement and praise from other riders and onlookers.Paulus received a cash prize of N$250 for his effort.”I pushed very hard and wanted to show people what we as physically disabled can do,” he said.Paulus has done 80 km distances a couple of times and said he might enter for the 70 km next year.At the moment, there are only two racing wheelchairs in Namibia.According to Paulus, he could do better if he could get competition.He can only train twice a week for fear of his small front wheel wearing out.It is only available in South Africa, he said.The two wheelchairs, valued at N$15 000 each, were sponsored by Namdeb.Their participation in the race was made possible by Mu Africa, a local tourism, entertainment and distribution company, and Nedbank.Paulus and Ndaluka have both qualified for the All Africa Games set for Algeria in July 2007.He welcomed any assistance to him or any other physically disabled people to compete in sports.NampaHis fellow wheelchair-bound participant Gideon Ndaluka had a bad fall and could not complete the race.Paulus, who specialises in 800-metres and 1500-metres races, was very pleased with his performance.He told Nampa after the race that it was easy.”The wind held me back a bit but other than that it was fine,” he said.The 25-year-old added that route was not too difficult as he only experienced two short climbs on the way.He appreciates all the encouragement and praise from other riders and onlookers.Paulus received a cash prize of N$250 for his effort.”I pushed very hard and wanted to show people what we as physically disabled can do,” he said.Paulus has done 80 km distances a couple of times and said he might enter for the 70 km next year.At the moment, there are only two racing wheelchairs in Namibia.According to Paulus, he could do better if he could get competition.He can only train twice a week for fear of his small front wheel wearing out.It is only available in South Africa, he said.The two wheelchairs, valued at N$15 000 each, were sponsored by Namdeb.Their participation in the race was made possible by Mu Africa, a local tourism, entertainment and distribution company, and Nedbank.Paulus and Ndaluka have both qualified for the All Africa Games set for Algeria in July 2007.He welcomed any assistance to him or any other physically disabled people to compete in sports.Nampa