Sierra Leonean weightlifter Ishmael Kamara has won a bronze medal in the men’s 75kg category at the African Junior Men/Women and Youth Weightlifting Championships in Mostaganem, Algeria.
Kamara secured third place with a total lift of 215kg, making him the only Sierra Leonean lifter to compete in the championship.
His latest achievement comes nearly a year after compatriot Francis Kondeh won Sierra Leone’s first-ever medals at the African Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships in Accra, Ghana. Kondeh secured bronze medals in both the Youth and Junior 60kg categories.
Coach and Technical Director Sallieu Kamara, who travelled with the athlete to Algeria, described the achievement as a proud moment for Sierra Leone and another milestone for the Sierra Leone Weightlifting Association.
“It was a great performance by Ishmael Kamara, who improved on his weights. We had entered a total of 210kg, but he managed to lift 215kg in the competition, which was a great display,” Coach Sallieu Kamara said.
Ishmael Kamara also acknowledged the efforts of the Association’s President, Mohamed Ragga Bangura, crediting him for ensuring Sierra Leone’s participation in the championship.
Reacting to the medal achievement, President Bangura said Sierra Leonean weightlifters continued to make the country proud by winning medals at international competitions.
“Congratulations to Ishmael, who has proved that he can do it after narrowly missing out on the podium last year. We will continue to strive to bring more medals to Mama Sierra Leone,” he said.
The African and Arab Weightlifting Championships commenced on Wednesday in Mostaganem, Algeria, bringing together 340 weightlifters from 29 countries.