Kenyan weightlifter Rachel Achieng has vowed to finish on the podium in the ongoing Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Achieng was emphatic about her form, saying she has sharpened her talons well enough to flex muscles with the world's finest at the quadrennial championships.
"My body is responding nicely and I'm fit for the competition. I'm competing with people who are experienced, and who have attended the Commonwealth Games in the past. However, I can't give up. I must push and give my best. I had a problem with my techniques but I have worked on that. ,” Achieng said.
Achieng said she felt elated after landing an opportunity to fly the country's flag at the games.
“It's an honour being chosen to represent the country at the games. I want to make it to the top five or even win a silver or a gold medal. I hope to be among the world's top cream.″
The Form Three student at Mbagathi Girls High School in Nairobi said she expects to perform well given her body is already used to balancing weights.
“It's easy for me to manage weightlifting because I started the sport when I was still in primary school. I'll get a lot of stuff coming from here so I'm grateful.”
“My school supports me. The teachers send me notes so I'm in touch with the syllabus.
Achieng has urged more female athletes to take interest in the male-dominated field.
“Weight lifting is not a male sport but for everyone so the women should feel comfortable joining it.”
Achieng's coach Anthony Libasia has tipped her to make the country proud at the games, pointing out that she has prepared well enough to impress on her appearance.
“They are all prepared because we trained for six months at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani camp and when we arrived in Birmingham, we hit the ground running,” Libasia said.
“We worked on her technique and mental strength and so she is now ready. While in the camp, she was staying with a senior lifter by the name of Winnie Langat who has mentored her and also prepared her mentally," he noted.
Achieng took part in the All Africa Games in 2019 and she has taken part in three African championships.
“She also won gold at Junior championships in Entebbe, Uganda. We shall fight it out with other nations and, hopefully, we can bag a medal. We cannot underrate any country because we all have our strategies. However, our main threat is the European nations because they have been competing even during the Covid era."