Hellen Wawira: Kenyan Para-lifter emerges fifth in Paralympics debut

Kenya’s female para-lifter – Hellen Wawira – put up an impressive performance to finish in fifth place at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the 41kg and above category.

Wawira, one of the nine Kenyans flying Kenya’s flag at the Games, says she is now motivated to focus on having a go at the World Record in the next international competition.

She was making her debut in the Paralympics and was also the only African in the competition.

Her Tokyo performance is a big improvement compared to the World Cup (held in Dubai in 2020) where she did not manage to lift anything in all her three attempts. In Tokyo, she managed two weights (90kg and 93kg) but was overwhelmed by the third attempt of 95kg, recording a no lift.

In finishing fifth, Wawira defeated five other contestants, including a Colombian and a Brazilian who had a better record than her.

 “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 feeding 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 told Alex Isaboke Capital Sport in Tokyo.

“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.” PHOTO/COURTESY