Overview:
Uganda weightlifting head coach Khassimu Nsubuga hailed the character of his players to compete but cautioned, more effort is required to meet the standards set by the competitive world best lifters.
The Uganda Weightlifting team at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riydah city, Saudi Arabia left the championship with heads down after a dismissal performance that left all the four athletes cold.
Captain Davis Niyoyita, Dubai based Faruku Figo Kyambadde, Steven Ojede and Aisha Namataka did not impress at all at a championship that lured weightlifting kings from the Islamic states.
First in business was Niyoyita in the 60 kg category. He lifted 95kg on the first attempt in the snatch category; and failed in the subsequent 100kg and 101 kg attempts to finish 8th out of 9 lifters.
This category was won by Muhammad Husni from Indonesia with 127kg and 129 kgs successfully lifted.
In the clean and jerk category; Niyoyita finished 5th overall with 125 kgs lifted. Still Husni won this cluster with a total of 154 kgs.
“The performance was not that good. There is need for more training and preparations.” Niyoyita who was attacked by flue on the eve of the competition spoke.
Kyambadde lifted in the 65 kg weight category; finishing 10th out of 13 in the snatch category with a 105 kg lifted.
For the clean and jerk, Kyambadde lifted 110 kg to finish 9th of 13. Turkey’s Muhammed Furkan Ozbek won both the snatch (140 kg) and clean jerks categories with 140 kg and 170kg respectively.
“I managed to do well in the clean and jerk with improved weights. However, I need to add on more” Kyambadde noted.
For the 94 kg men category; it was Lira based Ojede in action. He finished 11th out of 12 athletes lifting 145 kg in the snatch event and 145 kg for the clean and jerk.
“I lifted with a painful hand but nevertheless, I gave my best shot. I will keep improving with regular training” Ojede remarked.
The final athlete was Jinja based Namataka who was 8th overall with 55 kg and 60kg successfully lifted in the snatch competition.
Namataka lifted 70kg, 75kg and 80 kg successfully in the clean and jerk cluster.
“I started well with 55kg lift in the snatch, improved to 60kg in the clean and jerk. I will add more as time moves on during training sessions” Namataka hinted.
Egyptian Rahma Ahmed Abdelrazek Hassan Elsayed won the snatch (108, 112 and 116 kg’s) as Mahsa Beheshty won the clean and jerk category with 134 kg lifted.
Uganda weightlifting head coach Khassimu Nsubuga hailed the character of his players to compete but cautioned, more effort is required to meet the standards set by the competitive world best lifters.
“I want to salute my athletes for being brave and compete among the world’s best weightlifters. This is work in progress. We need to do better with training, facilities, equipment and good feeding for our players” Nsubuga spoke to Kawowo Sports in an exclusive interview.
The weightlifters have since returned to Uganda alongside the boxers. The swimming and table tennis teams return on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, focus will switch to the athletics, wrestling and para-powerlifting in the coming week.
Uganda has so far managed to win 6 medals (2 golds and a silver by swimmer Anna Gloria Muzito, a bronze by swimmer Jesse Ssuubi Ssengonzi as well as two other bronze medals by boxer Alfred Ojok and the Uganda Table Tennis girls doubles team).
