France-based long-distance runner Felicien Muhitira has returned to Rwanda’s nationwide athletics workforce after almost 5 years away from worldwide obligation.
Muhitira is a part of the Rwandan squad set to compete within the 2026 Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon, scheduled for June 13–14.
The 32-year-old athlete was suspended in June 2021 after leaving the nationwide workforce’s coaching camp forward of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Video games.
Additionally named within the closing squad are star runner Yves Nimubona, who’s presently coaching in Italy, and Victor Ingabire, who’s making ready in Kenya. The workforce was chosen throughout nationwide trials held in Gahanga on Saturday, Could 16.
Muhitira is one in all three athletes chosen for the boys’s full marathon (42km), alongside Noel Hitimana and Primier Manirafasha.
In the meantime, reigning girls’s half marathon champion Florence Niyonkuru and Emeline Imanizabayo — who not too long ago gained two gold medals on the African Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana — had been surprisingly omitted from the 14-athlete squad.
This 12 months’s Kigali Worldwide Peace Marathon will, for the primary time, be held over two days.
The opening day will function newbie runners competing within the 10km Run for Peace, whereas elite athletes within the full marathon and half marathon occasions will compete on the second day.
Full squad
Half Marathon
Males: Nizeyimana, Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Nzayisenga, Pacifique Niwentwari, Ismael Ntivuguruzwa, Victor Ingabire and Yves Nimubona.
Girls: Devotha Byukusenge, Thabita Tuyambaze, Theogene Uwiduhaye and Angelique Ibishatse.
Full marathon
Males: Felicien Muhitira, Primier Manirafasha and Noel Hitimana.
