On Sunday, 14 July, English football fans were in tears after Spain defeated England 2-1 during the Euro 2024 final. 

But on that day, Hilmy Shawwal was in tears of joy after he received news that he would be making history for Tanzania at this year's Paralympic Games in Paris. 

"We're [his family] watching the match and one of my friends said 'Tanzania is calling', so I pick up my phone. 

"They said 'look, I don't know how you're going to take this but you've been approved. You are a Paralympian, You are going to Paris,'" reminisces Hilmy. 

After hearing the news, Hilmy admits he "started bawling his eyes out" as he realised he would be the first wheelchair racer in history to represent Tanzania at the Paralympics. 

The 27-year-old tutor and Ealing resident tells Nub News: "I've seen my teammates get their chance at the global stage and a year ago when I made that decision to represent Tanzania I thought, you know what, maybe it will be my turn in a year." 

Still, despite finding success in wheelchair racing in recent years, Hilmy did not always have a passion for the sport. 

Hilmy is the first ever Wheelchair racer to represent Tanzania at the Paralympic Games (credit: Oliver Monk).

When he was around 8-9 years of age, he raced in a day chair at school but it was not until before sixth form when he competed in the London Youth Games and broke the wheelchair racing records that he found "a bit more of a passion" for the sport. 

For the last 12 years Hilmy has been training with Jenny Archer MBE and David Weir CBE who both set up the Weir Archer Academy which Hilmy is a part of and now captains. 

"He's had to toughen up, he's worked hard over the last year," says Jenny speaking to Nub News at Kingsmeadow Track, Kingston. 

"It was last September, in our little unit over the back there and I sat them all down and said, 'look, you know it's a big year coming up. What is it you want to achieve? What is it you want out of this sport.'" 

Jenny adds: "He said 'I would love to go to the Olympics' and he's always said that but I said you have to up your training, you have to start believing in yourself and he said 'ok'." 

And since making that commitment to Jenny, Hilmy upped his training to three sessions a week on the track mixed in with endurance sessions to improve his stamina. 

All of which raised his level, leading Jenny to suggest that Hilmy try to represent his parents' country at the games – Tanzania. 

Jenny Archer MBE (right) Head Coach of Weir Archer Academy has mentored Hilmy Shawwal for the last 12 years (credit: Oliver Monk).

Jenny told Hilmy: "Go and talk to the [Tanzanian] federation and see what they say...don't hold back."  

And on 14 July like Hilmy, Jenny "burst into tears" after hearing he was selected to represent Tanzania at this year's Paralympics. 

Jenny continues: "I'm just proud of the fact that he's representing his country and he's the first athlete to do that, it's simply amazing." 

Hilmy's family will be at the games supporting and cheering him on who say that he has made not only his family but Tanzania proud. 

"Proud, beyond Proud. This is the result of it all, says Hilmy's 22-year-old brother. "This defines that when you put in work the end result comes out of it." 

Adding: "He's made the family proud and we are all rooting for him. To be the first Tanzanian aswell, tops it off. 

"The dedication and commitments he's shown, you wouldn't believe it Alhamdulillah." 

Similarly, his 19-year-old sister explains: "It's hard to put into words just how much this means to our family. 

"Growing up, I watched him face challenges that most people can't even imagine, but he never let anything stop him. 

"He's always been so strong and determined, pushing himself to new limits every day. You'd think he wasn't disabled by watching the things he does. 

"Seeing him achieve this dream is beyond inspiring He's not just making history for Tanzania; he's showing the world what's possible with courage and perseverance." 

Hilmy's first race at the Paris Paralympics will be the T54 100m heat on 4 September (credit: Oliver Monk).

The 100m racer's 13-year-old sister credits his success to the fact that he would always "try again" even if he fails. 

She says: "Even when he failed he tried again and has just been the best role model to look up to. 

"He's been told all his life he can't do this and can't do that because of his disability but wait until they see what he can really do." 

The "Ealing boy" jokes that he can be on the phone "for hours" naming all the people who have supported him on his journey to becoming a Paralympian. 

One particular person special to Hilmy is his mentor David Weir who will be there competing and rooting for Hilmy who's academy of athletics has supported him, and hundreds of other para-athletes find success in the sport. 

'I started bawling my eyes out' says Hilmy after hearing he was going to the Paralympics (credit: Oliver Monk).

Hilmy says: "That's another incredible feeling because he's the reason that I came into the sport.  

"Now I'm at the club that he mentors and so it's an incredible feeling that I'm going to my first Paralympics with him...a huge full circle moment for me."

Not only is Hilmy the first wheelchair racer to represent Tanzania at the Paralympics but he was also their flag bearer at the opening ceremony yesterday (28 August) in front of 65,000 in Paris. 

"It took me 12 years to realise and achieve my dream so for anyone that has a disability that feels like they can't achieve a dream, well, they clearly can," says Hilmy. 

Hilmy Shawwal will be racing in the T54 100m heat on 4 September. To watch and support him visit Channel 4 who are covering the Paris Paralympics.