Shikongo races to Paralympic gold for Namibia in Rio
Ananias Shikongo beat the defending champion and set a Paralympic record in the men’s 200m T11.
Ananias Shikongo and guide Even Tjiviju at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games medal ceremony, 15 September 2016. Original Wikimedia Commons photograph; no AI editing.
Photo credit: Vision2030 (JLAUFS) · CC BY-SA 4.0
Namibia’s Ananias Shikongo won the men’s 200m T11 at Rio 2016 in a Paralympic record of 22.44 seconds. The IPC’s report published on 15 September recorded a close contest in which the Namibian defeated Brazil’s reigning world and Paralympic champion, Felipe Gomes.
A record finish against the defending champion
Gomes made the stronger start, but Shikongo drew level around halfway and maintained his challenge through the finish. The Brazilian took silver in 22.52 seconds, eight hundredths behind, while teammate Daniel Silva earned bronze in 23.04.
Shikongo entered the race as the world silver medallist. His victory reversed that championship order and put Namibia on top of a sprint podium contested against two Brazilian finalists. The Games record added a measurable distinction to a closely fought gold medal.