Angola: Athlete Sayovo Among World’s Top References In 13 Years

12 April 2011

Luanda — Thirteen years after embracing sport practice, the Angolan runner José Armando Sayovo has become one of the African and world’s top references in Paralympics, being the second athlete to win three golden medals and respective record at international competitions.

In 2004, during Paralympics Games held in Athens, Greece, the 38-year old runner, who was born in Chipeta commune, Catabola district, central Bié province, was only in need of 11: 37 to win the gold and establish a new elite mark of athletics for disabled persons.

Sayovo lost sight in 1997 as he served in the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) following an anti-tank landmine accident.

The athlete made a turnaround when he took part in Paralympics competition held in Olympic stadium of Athens where he managed to achieve in 200 and 400 metres, respectively, within 23.04 and 51.04.

Meanwhile, the athlete of Angolan Paralympics Committee, the organ in charge of handicapped sports in the country, has confirmed the status as the world fastest man, in his speciality, in the world’s championship that ended on April 9 in Turkey, by winning two gold and one silver medals.

Expected back home Tuesday, after having secured his participation by the third time consecutive in the Paralympics, the Angolan athlete will take part in other event of the kind in London, England in 2012.

Sayovo won gold in Turkey in 200 metres and 400 metres

In 100 metres the runner won gold medal.

Since the first medals won by Angola in All Africa Games in 1999 in South Africa in category of Swimming, in representation by Irene Bandeira (two gold medals) and Ngola Aguiar (one gold and another silver), the sports for disabled people has been achieving goals, having already reached marks of 117 medals won in general.

From this number, 112 went to athletics, while the remaining 4 is attributed to the swimming and one bronze, the last won in the world football of crutches held last year in Liberia.

In 2001 José Armando Sayovo won three gold medals in 100, 200 and 400 metres in African championship that brought together various categories of handicapped disputed in Cairo, Egypt.

The drop in winning gold medals happened during the Paralympics Games of Beijing, China, in 2008, during which the athlete won gold in 100, 200 and 400 metres, defeated by the Brazilian Lucas Prado.

Apart from the achievements in last two editions, Sayovo also won gold medals during the world championship held in Quebec, Canada in 2003, in 400 metres at 51.29, in his first record, overcoming the Spanish Luís Bulido, who kept the 51.76 mark.

Still, Sayovo won three gold medals in the African championship hosted by Rabat, Morocco, in January 2010, while in June of the same year the athlete also performed deeds at the Meeting International of Tunisia.

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