Youngster Rachel Achieng is envisioning snatching at least 80kg and jerking 90kg when she makes her debut at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month.

The 2019 Africa Senior Weight lifting Championships bronze medalist is among some 90 athletes undergoing residential camp at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi for the last two weeks.

The 17-year-old is not burdened for being considered one of Kenya’s fastest-rising weight lifters.

During the 2017 Africa Youth and Junior Championships in Entebbe, Uganda, she won three gold medals at the tender age of 11. 

“I am not under any kind of pressure, this is something I have been doing since I very young, I love weightlifting. I am happy my passion is paying off,” said the last born in a family of six.

The form three student at Mbagathi Road Secondary School in Nairobi said competing with the best help her improve her form.

“I have improved my mental strength and my skills have become better. The camp has helped me a lot in increasing my strength because now I can snatch 70kg and jerk 80kg,” noted Achieng, who competes in the 64kg category.

She added,”I have been part of the training camp established by NOC-K (National Olympic Committee of Kenya) and I can say that I have improved so much. Previously, I could snatch at least 65kg and jerk 75kg.”

Future engagements

Having competed in 2019 All Africa Games at Rabat, Morocco, Achieng noted that experience will help her in future engagements.

Achieng is among five lifters, including Winnie Langat, Maurice Aromo, Anthony Libasia, and Benjamin Osiemo, who have been training at Moi Stadium, Kasarani ahead of the Club Games from July 28 to August 8. 

Meanwhile with 50 days to the ‘Club Games’, NOC-K organized a plenary where retired and senior athletes had an interactive session with the Birmingham bound athletes in camp.

Malkia Strikers skipper Mercy Moim and former Shujaa captain Andrew Amonde who doubles up as the athlete representative to Birmingham advised the athletes to consider a realistic transition plan in a bid to shore up their fortunes after retirement.