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Wawira manages personal best, finishes sixth

Wawira manages personal best, finishes sixth
Para-powerlifter Hellen Wawira in action during the Games. PHOTO/James Waindi

Kenya’s Para-powerlifter Hellen Wawira expressed satisfaction with her performance after lifting a career-best 101 kilogrammes in the women’s under-41kg category, finishing sixth overall at the Paris Paralympic Games at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena on Wednesday.

Wawira’s compatriot, Kennedy Ogada, who was piloted by Oscar Dennis, fell short in the men’s B1 time trial, placing 11th with a time of 47 minutes and 06.47 seconds.

Wawira’s breathtaking effort in the third and final round earned her fifth place, the same position she finished in at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where she lifted 93kg.

It was world champion Cui Zhe from China who claimed yet another medal, winning gold with a Paralympic record lift of 119kg. World silver medalist Esther Nworgu from Nigeria managed 118kg, while Brazilian Lara Aparecida de Lima secured bronze with a lift of 109kg.

“Powerlifting is all about technique…if you get it right, you’re home and dry,” remarked Wawira, who matched her personal best of 98kg from her victory at the 2022 World Cup in her first lift.

She then lifted 99kg in her second attempt before joining the elite “century-plus” club.

Wawira’s next goal is to win the world title, an achievement she hopes to secure soon, as she also considers moving up to the 45kg weight class.

Ogada, piloted by Dennis, finished 11th in the B1 time trial with a time of 47 minutes and 06.47 seconds, a race won by Tristan Bangma and his pilot Patrick Boss from the Netherlands in 34:11.2.

Home cyclists Eli de Carvalho and Mickael Giuchard claimed silver with a time of 34:23.73, while Vincent Schure, piloted by Timo Fransen from the Netherlands, took bronze in 34:53.92.

Ogada is now the only Kenyan remaining in action, set to compete in the B1 Road Race (127km) today at 10.30am Kenyan time.

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James Waindi

BA in Communication and Political Science Editor at People Daily

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