Achieng’ focuses on Africa Games after Commonwealth exit

Kenyan young weightlifter Rachael Achieng' has her eyes firmly set on the Africa Games in Ghana next year and the Paris Olympics in 2024 after her exit from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Speaking after her exit, Achieng’ said she is happy to have done her personal best and she is hoping for more improvement in the coming competitions.

“I am happy because I have done my personal best. I was somehow scared before we started the competition but I gained confidence as the competition went by to deliver the results I got.

“I am not afraid of my early exit because I was competition with much more experience people who have attended more competitions that men but I am happy for the experience that I got her in Birmingham,” said Achieng

The Form Three student at Mbagathi Girls High School in Nairobi however, admits her opponents were much more experienced owing to the proper exposure they have gained in different tournaments but believes if the same is accorded to her she will better her performance in the coming competitions.

“I will work on my cling and juk plus perfect on my snatch to my perfection in order to perfect my lift so that next time I am back I will be better ,”added Achieng’.

She also admits there are areas she needs to improve on ahead of the coming competitions.

“One thing that I have learnt is that I need to be mentally strong to be able to cope up with the pressure that comes with representing my country and not to fear my competitor because the fact that we are all here it means we have qualified to be here,” stated the rising star.