Sara Samir: Egypt's weightlifting sensation secures gold in riyadh and eyes olympic qualification

Posted : 15 September 2023

At just 25 years old, Sara Samir has become a national hero in Egypt and a rising star in the world of weightlifting. Her journey to success began in 2016 at the Rio Olympics, where she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Egyptian woman to win a medal at the Games, securing the bronze in the 69kg category with a total lift of 255kg. Notably, she also became the first Arab woman to earn a weightlifting medal at the Olympics.

Since that breakthrough moment, Sara Samir has continued to excel on the weightlifting stage. She claimed a silver medal at the 2018 IWF World Championships, further establishing her prowess in the sport. However, her ultimate achievement came in 2022 at the IWF showcase, where she clinched the gold medal in the 76kg category by lifting an impressive 261kg.

In Riyadh, during the same weight category competition, Sara Samir showcased a calm and strategic approach that proved highly efficient. With formidable competitors in both the snatch and clean and jerk events, she patiently observed the performances of her closest rivals.

Her strategy paid dividends as she executed her plan flawlessly. Samir successfully lifted 108kg in the snatch, securing the gold in this category. She then chose to forego her remaining snatch attempts, preserving her energy for the clean and jerk.

In the clean and jerk, Sara Samir once again demonstrated her dominance, lifting 138kg on her first attempt, the best lift in the field. She chose not to make additional attempts, as her performance was already sufficient to secure her the overall title with a total of 246kg.

After the medal ceremony, a joyful Samir expressed, "It was a very easy competition for me! All went well, and I didn't have to make so much effort to get the gold." She also highlighted the significance of this victory in her pursuit of qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, stating, "This second consecutive title is the best possible appetizer towards my qualification to the Olympic Games, next year in Paris."

In terms of Olympic qualification rankings, Sara Samir currently ranks as the second best in the 81kg category, which is part of the Games' program. Her performance in Riyadh, along with her previous achievements, has positioned her favorably for Olympic qualification. She remains optimistic about her chances and acknowledges the encouraging signs.

However, it's worth noting that this competition marked her lowest total since 2018 when she was still competing at the junior level. Nevertheless, she has consistently lifted more than 250kg in her recent senior competitions.

Sara Samir's journey in weightlifting began under the guidance of her father and older brother, both of whom were involved in the sport. She entered the competitive weightlifting scene in 2010 at the age of 12, and her talent quickly became evident. Her first international success was recorded in 2012 at the African Junior Championships, where she claimed gold in the 63kg category with a total lift of 215kg.

As she looks ahead to the A session of the 81kg category, Sara Samir will undoubtedly keep a close eye on her main rivals in the Olympic ranking. Among them are Liang Xiaomei (CHN), Solfrid Koanda (NOR), Tamara Salazar (ECU), Yudelina Mejia (DOM), Mattie Rogers (USA), and Laura Nascimento Amaro (BRA), all vying for a spot at the prestigious Olympic Games. Samir's continued dedication and determination make her a strong contender for future successes on the weightlifting stage.

Sara Samir: Egypt's weightlifting sensation secures gold in riyadh and eyes olympic qualification

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