The Paralympic Games are over for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The second and last representative of the DRC in Paris competed on September 6 in the wheelchair shot put final, category F57. Paulin Moyambo Mukendi, 38, threw 9.92 meters. This is better than at the Tokyo Games and, even if he deplores his preparation conditions, this is what the Congolese wants to remember.
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From our special correspondent for the 2024 Paralympic Games,
A best throw of 9.92 metres, far from the top five in the shot put final (all over 14 metres) in the F57 category won by Iranian Yasin Khosravi (15.96 metres): Congolese Paulin Mayombo Mukendi especially wanted to retain his progress in Paris, three years after his first Paralympic Games in Tokyo. The results are positive. I was 12th in Tokyo, now I’m 9th.he emphasizes. It’s little by little that we grow. Why can’t we have 6th place at the Los Angeles Games in 4 years and then be first at another opportunity? ? »
Paulin Mayombo Mukendi, who is originally from Kasai-Oriental, has lived in Kinshasa since 2008. He trains as best he can at the Stade des Martyrs, every day. The player who also plays wheelchair basketball survives thanks to odd jobs. But his whole life is centered around para-athletics. Except for church, hairdressing, I stay at home. I don’t have time for other activities. ” he says.
” This situation hurts, but it is not discouraging. »
And it is because he devotes himself body and soul to his passion that he regrets the lack of investment from the Congolese authorities, particularly a lack of suitable equipment. My preparation for Paris 2024 has not really been greathe insists. This is something that we have been lacking a little bit. “.
When asked if it is normal that the DRC, a country of nearly 100 million people, has only two representatives at the Paralympic Games – shot putter Nancy Nsenga being the second – Paulin Mayombo Mukendi’s response is immediate. This is not normal. We should have at least 50 athletes. Maybe the government does not always take its responsibility as a parenthe says. Our Paralympic Committee has resources, but they are insufficient. It cannot respond at all times when it comes to such competitions. It is concerned with doing well, but it lacks resources. ” He adds: “ Sometimes this situation hurts, but it is not discouraging. »
Despite these constant difficulties, Paulin Mayombo Mukendi remains motivated and dynamic. I would like to become a coach one dayhe smiled. When I have won a Paralympic medal, I would like to become an experienced coach to share all the experience gained in such competitions. “.
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