Powerlifter Hellen Wawira will be chasing a podium finish when she lines up at the women's 41kg power lift finals at the ongoing Paris, Paralympics games at 2.35pm at La Chapelle Arena.
According to her coach David Waore, Wawira will be under no pressure having prepared well from Nairobi, where she was lifting 95kg.
“We have worked on her technique, improved her diet, and also boosted her mental strength, to ensure she can lift up to 100kg. Strength diet and mental strength go hand in hand and we believe she is ready to shine.” Added Waore
Wawira 32, who has a birth defect of the spinal column, is taking part at the Paralympics for the second time, having finished fifth during the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics that were delayed for 2021 due to Covid-19.
The 2022 world Para lifting champion heads to the finals having lifted 98kg, and will battle a great field of nine.
China’s Cui Zhe 108kg, Nigeria’s Nworgu Esther 106kg and Brazil’s De Lima Lara Aparecida 106kg lead the table in terms of lifts.
Meanwhile, para-cyclist Kennedy Ogada will compete in men’s B1 Time Trials (28.3kms) at 2.30 pm at Clichy Sous-Bois.
Ogada, 52, got a shot on the arm, after getting a new road cycling bike from Dolan Bikes, England, and will be piloted by former Kenya Sevens international Oscar Dennis who stepped in for the injured Benson Mwaniki.
