SSEKYAAYA Charles < Back  
Sport Weightlifting
CGA Uganda   
Gender Men
Born 11 Apr 1994 in Mulago, UGA
Height1.59 m
Human Interest
General Interest
Awards and honours He was flag bearer for Uganda at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (Facebook profile, 05 Jul 2014)

He was named the 2011 United States Powerlifting Association [USPA] Weightlifter of the Year. (myuganda.co.ug, 05 Apr 2012)
Other information NATIONAL FIRST
He became the first weightlifter to represent Uganda at an Olympic Games when he competed at the 2012 Games in London. He received a wild card entry for London from the International Weightlifting Federation [IWF]. (allafrica.com, 27 Jun 2012; newvision.co.ug, 27 Jun 2012)

TRAINING IN THE UNITED STATES
In 2012 he trained in Colorado Springs, CO, United States, after receiving an Olympic Solidarity scholarship from the International Olympic Committee [IOC]. He once again won a scholarship to train in Colorado Springs in 2015/16. (monitor.co.ug, 24 Nov 2015; newvision.co.ug, 27 Jun 2012)
Further Personal Information
Languages English, Swahili
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto "Whatever happens, it's gonna be fun." (Facebook profile, 03 Nov 2017)
Hobbies Playing snooker, watching movies, preaching. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2014)
Injuries He suffered a back injury while training for the 2014 World Championships, which he carried into the event in Almaty, Kazakhstan. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2014)

He tore the meniscus in his knee while training in the United States, three months before the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He recovered in time to compete in London, but the injury affected his performance at the Games. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2014)
Memorable sporting achievement Setting a Ugandan record at the 2015 World Championships in Houston, TX, United States of America. (AmbassadorSports, 01 Dec 2016; monitor.co.ug, 24 Nov 2015)
Sport Specific Information
Why this sport? "I had an amazing talent in this sport. I performed better at the talent identification programme than those who were training for it."
When and where did you begin this sport? He began weightlifting in 2006 in Kampala, Uganda.
International Debut
Year 2010
Competing for Uganda
Tournament African Championship
Location Yaoundé, CMR
Further Personal Information
Occupation Athlete
Residence Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Sport Specific Information
Club / Team Kingfield Barbell: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Name of coach Anthony Silengo [personal]