Rwandan para-athletes Emmanuel Niyibizi and Hermas Muvunyi won silver and bronze medals, respectively, at an international para-athletics competition in Krasnodar, Russia, on Wednesday, September 30. Niyibizi claimed silver, while veteran runner Muvunyi finished third in the men’s 1,500m T46, behind Russia’s Aleksandr Laremchuk, who won the race. Their performances gave Rwanda two podium finishes on the opening day of the competition. The event, organised by the Russian Paralympic Committee in collaboration with Russia’s Ministry of Sport, is taking place from September 30 to October 3 at Dynamo Stadium in Krasnodar. ALSO READ: Rwandan para-athletes win two gold medals in Tunis The competition brings together athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments from several countries to compete in a range of track and field disciplines. The two medals mark a strong start for Rwanda’s para-athletics team as its athletes compete against international opposition. Muvunyi is an experienced para-athlete who has represented Rwanda at major international competitions, including the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he competed in the men’s 400m and 1,500m. His bronze medal in the 1,500m T46 adds to his international record and underlines his continued presence in competitive para-athletics. Niyibizi has also built experience on the international circuit. At the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Rabat, Morocco, in April 2026, he recorded times of 25.07 seconds in the 200m and 51.94 seconds in the 400m. His silver medal in Krasnodar adds another international podium finish to his record. The Krasnodar competition features sprint, middle- and long-distance races, relays, jumps and throwing events, giving athletes opportunities to compete across various classifications.
