Weightlifter Sempereza ramps up preps for world championships

Weightlifter Hakim Sempereza is off to the USA to join Charles Sekyaya to train at the high performance training centre in Minneapolis, Minnesota in preparation for the world championships.

The championships are due to take place from November 26^th to December 6^th in Los Angeles but Uganda will be represented by only two participants due to lack of funds.

Uganda Weightlifting Federation (UWF) president, Salim Musoke said they had planned to take more weightlifters but Khalid Batuusa and the only lady, Irene Kasuubo were dropped due to lack of funds.

"A country is eligible to field a team of 32 athletes, men and women with two participants in each of the eight categories for both sexes. But we had earmarked three men and a lady where captain Sekyaya is already in the US," noted Musoke.

Sekyaya has been training in California since 2012 at intervals, the current having started in April this year under the Olympic Solidarity programme to prepare for the 2020 Olympics in Japan and other world events.

He has represented the country at various meets at the world level since 2010.

Sempereza has been training in Uganda for the event and has this year participated in May's World Islamic Games in Baku, the Africa Senior Championships in Mauritius in June, the National Championships in Kayabwe in July and the Inter Gala Cup in Serbia.

Both participants are in the 62 kg category.

Musoke said there is still room for including the other two entrants for the competition if they secure funding.