Rwanda international Hermas Cliff Muvunyi is confident about his chances of winning a medal at the upcoming 9th World Para Athletics Championships after three months of preparations. This year’s edition of the biennial event is due November 7-15 in Dubai. Having been in training with his coach Eric Karasira since late July, Muvunyi says he feels physically and mentally fit to compete against the world’s best. “I feel fit to fight and win a medal at the world champs. I still have about ten days of training before flying to Dubai, and I believe, considering my current form, I have what it takes to challenge the world’s best for a podium finish,” he told Times Sport on Wednesday. Muvunyi, a gold medalist at the 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie, booked his ticket to the world championships after winning a bronze medal in T46 Men’s category at the 2019 Marrakech International Meeting in April. He further added: “My ultimate goal at the worlds is to qualify for the Paralympic Games, and winning a medal with certainly secure me that ticket. I have been working hard in training, and I am confident it will pay off.” The world championships will not only be the pinnacle of the Para athletics season in 2019, but it will also serve as the last major opportunity for athletes to gain slots in their respective National Paralympic Committees for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. From the Dubai world championships, Muvunyi, 30, will turn attention to the inaugural edition of the African Paralympic Games, scheduled for January 2020 in Morocco. Regarded as the country’s most decorated Paralympic athlete, Muvunyi won gold medals in T46 men’s 400 category at the 2011 Maputo All-Africa Games and the 2015 Brazzaville All-Africa Games. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
