Norway hadn’t won an Olympic medal in weightlifting since 1972 (a lone gold) until Solfrid Koanda came calling. Koanda, just 25, was working as an electrician three years prior to the 2024 Olympics. Then she tried her hand at full-time competitive weightlifting.
She ended up being pretty good at it: After being crowned the country’s first-ever World Champion in weightlifting in 2022, Koanda followed it up by winning a gold medal in the Women’s 81-kilogram event in Paris.
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- “I made a choice between my profession and the Olympic dream a couple of years ago. I chose this,” Koanda said on social media in April.
“I went to train after my work as an electrician every day when I was not using vacation to go to training camps.” Koanda’s determination and courage have paid off in spades.
Solfrid Koanda (81KG) | 2024 Olympics
The electrician-turned-weightlifter faced an uphill battle in Paris. Koanda entered the event as perhaps the most novice athlete in the field; her first international weightlifting meet was in April 2021 at the European Championships. She placed fifth there.
Once the bar was loaded, Koanda had to contend with multiple previous Olympians from Egypt and Korea, and especially reigning Olympic Champion Neisi Dajomes of Ecuador, who would ultimately win bronze.
- Yet Koanda had all the momentum in the world. Prior to Paris, she had gone undefeated in her six previous international weightlifting meets since early 2022, save for an incomplete “bomb-out” at the World Championships in ’23.
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Despite stiff competition, Koanda was considered a safe bet for the podium before the Games began. When the final bar fell in the South Paris Arena and the chalk had settled, Koanda walked away with the gold medal.
- Snatch: 117, 121, 124x
- Clean & Jerk: 148, 154, 162x
- Total: 275
Koanda also set new Olympic records in the clean & jerk and Total en route to the top of the podium.
- She attempted 162 kilograms for a new world record clean & jerk but was unsuccessful.
“It was a very bumpy road to Paris, I’ve had some injuries and operations,” Koanda said on Aug. 2. “There are a lot of strong women in my category. Fortunately, I’m one of them.”
More Weightlifting at the 2024 Olympics
- Is Mihaela Cambei the World’s Next Weightlifting Superstar?
- 5 Weightlifters Injured During Men’s 89KG Event at 2024 Olympics
- Antonino Pizzolato Wins Controversial Bronze Medal for Italy
Featured Image: @98solfrid / Instagram
