Namibian middle-distance runner, Finamekeni Hamutenya won a silver medal for Team Namibia on Tuesday after a photo finish at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games underway in Berlin, Germany.
Hamutenya reached the men’s Level A 800 metre (m) final on Monday with an incredible run of 2:03.30, which was his new personal best.
In the final on Tuesday, the Namibian runner improved his personal best time once more to 2:02:95 to finish second behind Kenyan runner Daniel Mutiso, who won the race with a time of 02:02.50. Hamutenya’s previous personal best record before the world championships was 2:24:00.
Japanese runner Yuki Uemura on Tuesday took the final podium position in the Level A 800m race with a time of 2:03.15 after an intense battle of two laps that saw the athletes braving the rain and exchanging positions throughout the two laps.
Speaking to Nampa after the race, Hamutenya said he was happy to win the race, and hopes others will emulate his achievements.
“The race was great, and I enjoyed it. I tried my level best to push myself. I am calling on other athletes in Namibia living with a disability to work hard so they can one day represent their country,” Hamutenya said.
Meanwhile, Special Olympics Namibia Programme ambassador Sylvester Lolo Goraseb said he was happy to see Namibian athletes doing their best on the world stage.
“We need earlier programmes to start identifying talent, such as Hamutenya, because sometimes we take too long to lay the foundation. Seeing the achievements of athletes on this world stage makes me proud just by witnessing such great performances,” he said, adding that as part of the inclusive revolution, he would like to work hand in hand with the Namibian Government in developing infrastructure that can be used by athletes to train.
Still on Tuesday, the Namibian 3x3 basketball team continued with their impressive form by winning their matches against Kuwait and New Zealand. In the game against Kuwait, the Namibian team won 6-3 and against New Zealand, they won 5-3.
Sprinter Louise Sagaria missed out on a medal in the women’s Level A 200m final after falling just 50m before the finish line and received medical attention.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency