Weightlifting is a sport that requires strength, time focus and dedication in order to excel to coveted levels.

Just 13 years old, Acehood Waiyaki is already trailblazing in the sport. His star has started to shine a few years after he embraced the sport.

Waiyaki is the current Africa junior champion, having triumphed in the snatch, clean and jerk and total at the Africa Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships held in Nairobi last November.

Being on top of the continent tickles Waiyaki, he still cannot believe that he is the Africa Junior champion in the men’s 49kg category.

“It was my first international assignment and I’m happy that I delivered. I gave Kenya the perfect results that was required,” the Standard eight pupil at Gatumaini Primary School in Thika said.

“Many players hope to be great when they join any sport, but I’m happy that I’m already living the dream. This gives me passion and hunger to push even harder. My mission now is to conquer the world. I’m dreaming to win Olympic medal someday,” he said.

Waiyaki adds that he will forever be grateful to his coach James Omondi Adede, for introducing him to the sport at an early age. He has definitely grown with the game and has mastered every trick of it.

“Through his coaching tips, I have been improved my skills,” he said.

Waiyaki trains at both Steel City Gym in Pangani and in Kitengela. He exercises over the weekends when schools are open and daily when on holidays.

Waiyaki is looking forward to qualifying for the Youth Olympics slated for Dakar, Senegal next year and being on top of Africa gives him the confidence needed to make it to that championships.

Waiyaki also feels weightlifting as a sport is headed in the right direction, both in Kenya and Africa and it is on this premise that he is urging the youths to get involved in the sport.

“Apart from helping me keep fit, the game is already taking me places. I’m predicting that the continent will be able to increase its representation tally in the future Olympics,” he said.

For those eager to join the sport, Waiyaki advises that constant training and dedication will do the trick.

“Make sure you train under a coach or a certified instructor because this game can prove dangerous, especially when dealing with weights above your normal punch,” he said.

“My hero still remains my coach Adede, I look up to him. He knows me in and out, he gives me moral support. His ever presence at the championships is what inspires me to win medals.”