Lifter Katamba joins Nakiganda on medals podium

ISMAIL Katamba lifted an extra 12kg on his way to winning a silver medal in the Africa 56kg Senior weightlifting championships on Tuesday.

By Norman Katende

Men
56kg
1.Koum Koum (CMR ) 235kg
2.Ismail Katamba (UGA) 217
3.Abdel Hamduni (ALG) 188

62kg
1.C. Adriantry (MAD) 227
2.M. Rouiochi (ALG) 220
5. M. Kimbowa UGA) 207
6.M. Kivumbi (UGA) 200

Women
69kg
1.J. Theteneut (SEY) 220
2. I. Ajambo (UGA) 157
3.P. Nyanga (UGA) 95
75kg
1. A. Razyuse (TUN) 175
2. M. Nalubanga (UGA)155

75+kg
1. I. Nasnoui (TUN) 246
2. M. Nansnoui (TUN) 175
3. F. Nalukagwo (UGA) 98

ISMAIL Katamba lifted an extra 12kg on his way to winning a silver medal in the Africa 56kg Senior weightlifting championships on Tuesday.

He joined Monday’s heroine Haula Nakiganda who picked nine medals, six of them gold at Didis World in Kampala as Uganda surprised all with their performance.

Katamba, a Nakivubo-based lifter, defied all predictions including that of his coach Ali Kavuma when he snatched 92kg.

He got a standing ovation before running to hug his coach. His previous best had been 85kg during the national championships.

He later went on to lift 120kg in the Clean and Jerk event, an addition of 3kg from his personal best on his third try.

“I had hope that I will do it and I did it,” said Katamba, who now wins three silver medals at both the African junior and senior and three gold medal at the East Africa category.

“Owaye nange ansobedde. Kati Byakola bya kyewunyo (I am also baffled. What he is doing is surprising) said his excited coach Kavuma. Kavuma is a former Olympian.

Moses Kimbowa was not that lucky as he pressed in his second Snatch and Jerk try to end up lifting 112kg and surrender his fourth place.

Earlier, Irene Ajambo had also settled for silver at the senior and junior continental games and gold at the East African games after she lifted 157kg.