David Emong struggling to qualify for Paralympics

David Emong, the distinguished Paralympic athlete who clinched silver and bronze medals in the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, finds himself among a cohort of athletes grappling with qualification for the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Competing in the 1,500m T46 category, Emong is relentlessly pushing himself, participating in multiple events in a bid to meet the stringent qualification criteria.

As the 11th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships approaches, slated for May 17 to 25, Emong is gearing up alongside fellow athletes for the challenge in Kobe, Japan. His primary objective is securing qualification for the Paralympics.

Emong underscores the criticality of qualification, recognising that it is pivotal if he intends to defend or even surpass his bronze medal performance from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. 

Despite falling short of the mark at the recent World Para Athlete Grand Prix in Dubai, Emong remains undeterred, asserting his physical readiness through numerous national athletics trials. Confident in his abilities, he anticipates a successful qualification campaign during his upcoming endeavor in Japan.

The 2024 World Para Athletics Championships serves as the final opportunity for athletes to secure their places in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) calendar. The qualification standard for the 1,500m T46 event at the 2024 Paralympic Games stands at 4:20, setting the bar high for Emong and his peers.

The 2024 Paralympic Games are set to take place in Paris, France, from August 28 to 8 September.

As Emong continues to strive for qualification, Uganda's Paralympic medal count stands at two, a silver and bronze both claimed by Emong during the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games, respectively.