Para powerlifter Hellen Wawira eyes continental glory with Commonwealth Games in mind

The continental championship is expected to attract top para powerlifting athletes from across Africa, with Wawira targeting a gold medal that could strengthen her qualification campaign for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The Glasgow Games are expected to feature the largest integrated Para-sport medal programme in Commonwealth Games history.

Wawira, who competes in the Under-45kg category, is also keeping her sights firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Paralympics, with the Algeria competition forming a crucial step in her qualification journey toward the global showpiece.

The Kenyan lifter heads into the championships carrying an impressive international record. In 2025, she clinched a silver medal at the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Cairo, Egypt.

“And because I have participated in the Commonwealth before and I won a medal, I hope that I am going to perform well. Because I got bronze, I hope I will get gold,” she said.

Earlier, in 2022, she won gold at the Open American Championship before later securing bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Despite her growing success on the international stage, Wawira says inadequate training equipment continues to limit her performance.

“I lack specialised weights and disability-friendly benches suitable for my category which has made preparations difficult. That has continuously affected my pursuit of top podium finishes at elite competitions,” she added.

“Here at home in Embu, I haven't received any support from the county. The help I would want right now is to get weights and benches. Because so far, looking at my category—I compete under 45kg—I have broken a record of 125[kg], and so far I am lifting 115[kg]. Of which, I hope if I get those weights or the bench, my performance will be good.”

Her coach, Joseph Murimi, emphasized the urgent need for a broader and more supportive bench tailored for Para powerlifting athletes, explaining that the current equipment available does not adequately suit Warira’s build and competition needs.

Murimi also raised concern over nutritional challenges, noting that the athlete requires a better diet plan to match the physical demands of the sport and maintain peak performance ahead of the continental championships.