Hakizimana gets IWAS nod for London games

RENOWNED Rwandan power lifter Théogène Hakizimana’s dreams of participating at the 2012 London Paralympics Games due August 12-28 are now a reality after the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport (IWAS) approved him.In a letter dated April 2, 2012 to the National Paralympics Committee of Rwanda (NPC), IWAS requested the former to confirm if Hakizimana will verify the bipartite slot usage that will allow him to participate at this year’s Paralympics.According to the NPC general secretary Celestin Nzeyimana, the local body replied IWAS on Tuesday saying that Hakizimana will compete in the London event.When Times Sport contacted the Gisenyi based athlete, amidst ululations, Hakizimana said, “I am so excited about this opportunity and I am going to train so hard to be ready for the Games.”Hakizimana competed at the 2011 IWAS Games in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates last December in the men’s up to 82.50kg category but did not make it among the top ten.However, according to an IWAS initiative which is to give an opportunity to all athletes around the world, the 31 year old has been given a wild card.With a bronze in the 800m T46 category at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Jean de Dieu Nkundareba is the only Rwandan with a medal from the world’s most prestigious sporting event-Paralympics.Nzeyimana revealed that the 2008 Beijing Paralympics were an eye opener to the Rwandan sporting community. Back then NPC only took Nkundareba but the former medalist failed to make it to the finals of the 800m and since then, the local body took up the initiative to take more athletes in different categories.Rwanda will also be represented by the men’s sitting volleyball team as well as Hermas Muvunyi in the men’s 400m and 800m races who are all debutants.

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Hakizimana gets IWAS nod for London games