Nairobi — Kenya’s Ian Okinyi has set his sights on extra medals on the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar after clinching three gold and three silver on the ongoing Africa Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Nairobi.
The 15-year-old is hopeful his medal harvest on the Ruaraka Sports activities Membership portends the start of a profitable profession.
“I’m so excited…that is the primary medals I’ve ever gained in my profession and contemplating this was my first time competing in a contest of such calibre. My final dream is to go on and win extra medals in Dakar,” Okinyi stated.
The teenager shone within the 55kg class, excelling within the 80kg (snatch) and 95kg (clear and jerk) earlier than narrowly lacking out on the identical within the juniors class.
Okinyi thanked his coach, famend weightlifter Winnie Langat, for pushing him to work exhausting in coaching.
“I’ve been coaching with my coach Winnie (Langat) and she or he has been pushing me day by day to be the most effective model of myself. Her coaching programme has helped me so much and she or he has taught me the significance of self-discipline always. I’m so indebted to her,” the teenager, who has been lifting weights for the reason that age of 9, stated.
Additionally carrying an enormous grin on his face was Joseph Amunga who walked away with three gold within the 61kg class.
It has been a very long time coming for Amunga, who has represented the nation in a variety of competitions prior to now however with out success.
“It feels fantastic to lastly win a medal after so many occasions representing Kenya with out success. I’ve been actually working exhausting in coaching to win these medals and even coming right here as we speak, I had instructed myself that the final word purpose was to win gold,” he stated.
Amunga, who lately accomplished his Type 4 research, has now trailed his deal with the Los Angeles Olympic Video games in 2028.
He’s assured of creating the rostrum of the quadrennial video games if solely he retains on the identical path of exhausting work and focus.
“My goal is to make the workforce for the Los Angeles Olympics and win an Olympic medal there. I do know that I will not be eligible for the Youth Olympics so it’s higher for me to begin specializing in 2028,” he stated.
Within the ladies’ 49kg class, Lina Amanda Omondi continued the medal harvest with six silver – three within the junior and three within the youth class.
The 15-year-old, who was debuting on the worldwide stage, says the success has whetted her urge for food for extra.
“It’s an superior feeling to win a medal extra so contemplating I’ve been principally competing in native competitions. I wish to turn out to be a star so far as weightlifting is anxious and I’m wanting ahead to representing Kenya in additional worldwide competitions. I hope to turn out to be a world champion in the future,” she stated.
The Mbagathi Women Excessive College pupil provides that the success has given her the will to proceed working exhausting in coaching.
“I normally practice for 5 days every week, twice per day. My mother and father have continued to encourage me on this endeavour at the same time as I’m the one one in our household who does weightlifting,” she stated.
One other medalist was Acehood Waiyaki who clinched three gold and three silver within the boys’ 49kg class.
The 2-day competitors has attracted 9 international locations together with Egypt, Libya, Madagascar, Uganda, Tunisia, Mauritius, South Africa, Seychelles and Kenya.
