Paralympian Lifter Hellen Wawira Places Fifth in Tokyo.

After battling health issues in the days leading up to the competition, powerlifter Hellen Wawira, Kenya’s only representative in the event and only African athlete in her weight class, put in a valiant showing at her first Paralympic games to finish fifth in her 41kg and above weight class. An experience that’s spurred her on to eye the world record in her next international competition.

“The event was good though my target was to lift 100kg, I did my level best because in the last two days I have not been feeling well, but I am grateful for getting a good lift. This has motivated me. To get that in Paralympics is not easy, you saw some good lifters failed to record points,” Wawira said of her performance.

Wawira began powerfully, with successful lifts at 90kgs, then 93kgs, respectively. It was however, at the 95kg mark that proved to be too much on the day. Never demoralized though, the 29 year old now sets her sights on her next challenge. “When I go back home, I will go and work on my power and achieve my targets in the Commonwealth Games. In my first attempt I want to lift 100kg then aim to break the World Record by lifting 110kg, that is my dream and I know I will achieve it.”

And sentiment unwaveringly reiterated by her loader coach, David Ochieng. “She had started well with the two good attempts, but heading for the third, she had tension because she was thinking too much about the Venezuelan (Clara Sarahy Fuentes) whom they were fighting for the bronze and that affected her,” he said. “We have beaten good powerlifters and I am happy with that. To finish ahead of teams like Brazil and Colombia is great. We now go back home to train hard and ensure she goes for the 100kg in the first attempt, second attempt 105kg and third 110kg. She will break the World Record. It is possible.”

With confidence, determination and the will to succeed urging her forward, the future looks bright and promising for Hellen Wawira.