Wheelchair racer, Hilmy Shawwal, made his Paralympic debut on 4 September making history as the first athlete to represent Tanzania in the sport. 

The Ealing para-athlete made his Paralympic debut in the Men's 100m T54 Heat 2 at the Stade De France, racing against six others. 

Unfortunately, Hilmy just missed out on qualification to the final, finishing sixth in his group ahead of Eritrea's Sibhatu Kesete Weldemariam, who also made his Paralympic debut. 

Hilmy finished sixth in his heat with a time of 16.08 seconds (credit: Paralympics).

Despite his Paris Paralympic journey coming to a close, Hilmy told Ealing Nub News "It was a moment I will never, ever forget." 

He said: "That feeling of not only being the flag bearer for my country, but to represent Tanzania, my family and put them on the map. It was an unreal moment." 

Hilmy was the official flag bearer for Tanzania at the Paris Paralympics (credit: Channel 4).

Even in a stadium packed with thousands of fans, the Tanzanian admitted he could only hear the 11 members of his family.

"If I told you how I felt, how I still feel right now, incredible. As soon as I came out to the track and lined up, I could hear my family.

"There was more than 40,000 people in that stadium and I could only hear the 11 members of my family.

"They were sitting behind me and I didn't look back, I couldn't look back at all," added Hilmy.

Taking little time to rest, Hilmy says he will be back on the track this Saturday, 14 September at Stoke Mandeville Stadium competing.

He asserted: "I am go out there and finish off the best season of my life strong."

To keep track of Hilmy Shawwal and when he races, follow him on Instagram here.