Weightlifters Sekyaya, Lubega in class of their own

By Silvano Kibuuka

The impressive form of Charles Sekyaya and Jamil Lubega put weightlifting in the limelight this year.

Sekyaya, who has been at the High Performance Olympic Training Centre in the United States, launched his campaign by winning a gold medal in the Alabama Open.

After the success, Sekyaya entered the Africa Senior Championships held in Nairobi.

Action ended with Sekyaya clinching another gold.

Sekyaya also participated in the World Youth Championships in Guatemala where he finished in 11th position.

Later, the promising lifter participated in the London 2012 Olympic Games where he finished 13th overall.

Sekyaya, making a maiden appearance at the world’s biggest sporting show, was one of few lifters from Africa in London.

The lifter also competed in the Africa youth qualifiers.

He was up against other top youngsters from the continent.

The event presented another opportunity for Sekyaya to acquire more experience.

He managed an aggregate of 245 kg during the event.

The Kampala-based athlete is looking forward to competing in other major international events including the next Olympic Games set for Brazil in 2016.

Sekyaya’s colleague Jamil Lubega also made a mark this season.

He lifted 222kgs at the National Club Championships in Kampala to qualify for the Africa Youth Championships in Tunisia.

He later on won one gold medal and two silver.

Elsewhere, Jinja based lifter Godfrey Baligeya won a bronze medal at the World Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Lubega made the trip with Beck Namusoke who managed 185 kgs but failed to reach the medal bracket.

But she improved on her personal best mark of 180 kgs achieved earlier on.

At the same time, domestic coaches and referees were involved in capacity building programmes.

The coaches - Nassif Kalungi, Tom Senfuma and Minsa Musoke attended a level two course in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kalungi, Janat Namwanga went for a referees and coaching course in Lagos, Nigeria.

There was also en effort to help clubs improve their status. The clubs including Nakivubo, Black Monster in Jinja and Bweyogerere Club got equipment from Uganda Weightlifting Federation (UWF).

UWF had received the equipment from the International Weightlifting Federation.