Weightlifting: After Conquering Africa, Young Waiyaki Now Wants To Take The World By Storm

_{Acehood Waiyaki with the three golds and two silvers he won in men’s 49kg category during the African Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships held in Nairobi in November 2024. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}
NAIROBI, Kenya- Weightlifting is a sport that requires strength, time focus and dedication in order to excel to the coveted higher levels.

Just 13 years old, Acehood Waiyaki is already trailblazing in the game. His star has started to shine a few years after he embraced the sport.

Waiyaki is the current Africa junior champion, having triumphed in the snatch, clean and jerk and total at the Africa Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships held in Nairobi last November.

Being on top of the continent tickles Waiyaki, he still cannot believe that he is the Africa Junior champion in the men’s 49kg category.

” It was my first international assignment and I’m happy that I delivered. I gave Kenya the perfect results that was required,” the Standard eight pupil at Gatumaini Primary School in Thika underlined.

“Many players hope to be great when they join any sport but I’m happy that I’m already living the dream. This gives me passion and hunger to push even harder. My mission now is to conquer the world. I’m dreaming to win Olympic medal someday,”

Waiyaki says he will forever be grateful to his coach, James Omondi Adede, for introducing him to the sport at an early age. He has definitely grown with the game and has mastered every trick of it.

“Through his coaching tips, I have been able to improve my skills day and night and this makes my star keep rising and shining,” he says.

Waiyaki trains at both Steel City Gym in Pangani and in Kitengela. He exercises at weekends when schools are open and daily when on holidays.

_{Acehood Waiyaki with the three golds and two silvers he won in men’s 49kg category during the African Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships held in Nairobi in November 2024. PHOTO/ JONAH ONYANGO}

Waiyaki is looking forward to qualifying for the Youth Olympics slated for Dakar, Senegal next year and being on top of Africa gives him the confidence needed to make it to that destination.

Waiyaki also feels weightlifting as a sport is headed in the right direction, both in Kenya and Africa and it is on this premise that he is urging the youths to get involved in the sport.

“Apart from keeping me fit, the game is already taking me places. I’m predicting that the continent will be able to increase its representation tally in the future Olympics,” he said.

For those eager to join the sport, Waiyaki advises that constant training, dedication and being passionate about it are the key aspects.

” Make sure you train under a coach or a certified instructor because this game can prove dangerous, especially when dealing with weights above your normal punch,” he advises.

When asked about his role model in the game, Waiyaki stated: ” My hero still remains my coach Adede, I look up to him. He knows me in and out, he gives me moral support. His ever presence at the championships is what inspires me to win medals.”

Africa Junior Weightlifting Champions

1.Men’s 49kg: Acehood Waiyaki

2.Men’s 55kg: Ian Okinyi

3.Men’s 61kg: Joshua Amunga

4.Women’s 64kg: Mercy Kerubo

5.Women’s 76kg: Rachel Achieng