Hellen Wawira, Kenya’s multiple World and Commonwealth Games Para-powerlifting medallist, is ready to save her country from a dismal showing at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris. As Kenya grapples with the possibility of one of its worst performances in the Games’ history, Wawira remains steadfast in her mission to bring home a medal.
This afternoon, Wawira will compete in the fiercely contested 41kg and below category at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena. After a rigorous preparation phase, she steps onto the platform with one goal: to secure Kenya’s first medal at these Games. The 32-year-old athlete, known for her resilience and determination, is no stranger to overcoming adversity, having dealt with numerous challenges associated with her disability throughout her career. Despite these obstacles, she has consistently shone on the international stage, collecting an impressive array of medals.
“My preparation has been good, both from home and during my month in France,” Wawira stated confidently after her weigh-in at the athletes’ village, where she registered a weight of 40.5 kilograms. “I can say I have improved tremendously in my technique; I did not expect to progress so much in such a short time, and I can promise Kenyans something good.”
Wawira’s confidence stems from her recent progress in training. During her preparation in France, she has managed to increase her lifting capacity significantly. At the Tokyo Games, she lifted 95 kilograms, finishing fifth. However, her current training regime has seen her handling weights as heavy as 110 kilograms through drop sets, a technique she believes has boosted her power and readiness for the competition.
“When I left Kenya last month, I was lifting 95 kilograms, but here I’ve been doing drop sets of 110 kilograms, which gives me a lot of power,” Wawira noted. “I’ve done my part with my coach; now the remaining bit is for God to help us.”
Wawira’s journey to the Paralympic stage has been marked by hard work and perseverance. She only accessed a modern gymnasium in March this year, a significant development that has allowed her to refine her technique and improve her performance. Since taking up powerlifting in 2015, three years after graduating from Joy Town School for the Disabled in Thika, Wawira has rapidly ascended to the top of her sport.
Her coach, David Waore, emphasizes Wawira’s remarkable achievements despite the limitations she has faced. Over the past nine years, Wawira has won seven medals—three gold, one silver, and three bronze—from major international competitions, including the World Cup Powerlifting Championships, World Powerlifting Championships, Commonwealth Games, and African Games. However, a Paralympic medal remains elusive, and Wawira is determined to add this missing accolade to her collection at the Paris Summer Games.
Standing between Wawira and her Paralympic dream are formidable opponents, including Indonesian Ni Nengah Widiasih, a silver medallist from the Tokyo Games, and Cui Zhe of China, the reigning world champion. Notably absent from the lineup is defending champion Guo Lingling from China, a development that slightly alters the competitive landscape.
For Wawira, today’s event represents not just a chance to win but a culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice. Her remarkable journey from a young graduate in Thika to an elite powerlifter on the world stage is a testament to her resilience and the indomitable spirit of athletes with disabilities. As she competes, she carries the hopes of a nation eager for success at the Paralympics, and with her determination, she might just deliver the medal Kenya desperately needs.
