Kenya’s para powerlifting team is set to make a strong showing at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Tbilisi, Georgia. This competition serves as the final qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8 in the French capital.
Leading the charge is 37-year-old David Magu, who will spearhead a determined team of four athletes. Magu will be competing in the men’s 72kg category, bringing his extensive experience and dedication to the forefront. Accompanying him is Hellen Wawira, a celebrated para powerlifter who earned a bronze medal in the lightweight category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Wawira, who also represented Kenya at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, will compete in the women’s up to 41kg division, aiming to secure her spot for a second Paralympic appearance.
Joining Magu and Wawira are Jeremiah Maringa Ngungi and Joyce Njuguna, both of whom are eager to qualify for their first Paralympics. The duo hopes to leverage the Tbilisi event to achieve their dreams of competing on the world stage in Paris.
Stanley Mutuma, the Secretary General of the Kenya National Paralympic Committee (KNPC), emphasized the importance of this championship for the athletes. “Those winning medals at the championships will get direct tickets to the Paris Summer Games,” he stated. “A good performance will also see the powerlifters improve their world ranking, which is another critical mode used in the qualifying process.”
According to Mutuma, securing a top-eight world ranking after the championships would also guarantee a place at the Paris Games. This dual path to qualification underscores the significance of the Tbilisi event for the Kenyan team.
Wawira, who aims to qualify for her second Paralympic Games, expressed her determination and optimism. Her experience from the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics and her recent success at the Commonwealth Games have fueled her ambition to achieve even greater heights in Paris.
As the team departs for Georgia, the Kenyan para powerlifting community and supporters nationwide are rallying behind them, hopeful that their athletes will excel and earn their rightful places at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The team’s performance in Tbilisi will not only determine their participation in the upcoming Games but also set the stage for future successes in para powerlifting.
