Local weightlifter eyes World Champs in Saudi Arabia
After recently landing back on home soil, weightlifting champ Laryne Jefferies has her eye set on competing in the at the World Championships in Saudi Arabia later in the year.
Coach Matthew Hurn of Movement Crew and weightlifter Laryne Jefferies recently travelled to Tunisia for the African Senior Weightlifting Championship.
Jefferies competed in the female 71kg weight class, battling some of the strongest women on the African continent for a spot on the podium. Among them were weightlifters from Egypt, Nigeria, and Mauritius.
Jefferies said her division is one of the most competitive classes and this was one of the qualifying events leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
She celebrated an 86kg snatch (setting a new South African record) and a 106kg clean and jerk. She finished fourth overall with a total of 192kg.
“It was a close battle for another bronze medal and I did my best even though I know I have so much more in the tank to show. In the sport of weightlifting you have to have tremendous patience and grit, a ‘never give up attitude’ and I am excited to work even harder. You only have a few seconds to do your absolute best on the platform after months of a lot of hard work,” she explained.
Jefferies considers herself very fortunate to have these opportunities to compete on the international platform.
“I look forward to my next goal. which is to compete at the World in Saudi Arabia in September. This is also an Olympic qualifier. One of the requirements for possible Olympic qualification is attending a list of compulsory competitions leading up to the games, so we are going to try our best to make this dream a reality if the funds allow,” she said.
Leading up to September, she said the goal is to recover and build up stronger than before.
“I am training at Movement Crew based in True North Road, Mulbarton. I encourage you to join or drop in for a session to learn more about the world of weightlifting and what we do. All strength and fitness levels are welcome,” Jefferies said.
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