Kenya’s medal count at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow got off to a historic start thanks to 20-year-old weightlifter Joshua Amunga Mboya. Competing in the men’s 60kg division at the SEC Armadillo, Amunga delivered a composed and resilient performance to clinch the bronze medal.
Amunga achieved a combined lift total of 260kg, breaking down to 115kg in the snatch and 145kg in the clean and jerk. His effort secured third place ahead of Sri Lanka’s SDSS Wiriduwagle, who finished fourth with 244kg. Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Kasdan took gold with a Games record total of 273kg, while India’s Rishikanta Singh earned silver.
Overcoming Injury and Rising to the Occasion
Amunga revealed that his journey to the podium had been fraught with challenges, including recovery from a serious injury sustained in April that sidelined him for three months. Despite the setback, he gradually rebuilt his strength and focus, crediting his coach and mentor who introduced him to weightlifting during his primary school years in Thika.
“My coach always tells me not to have pressure. Everything takes time, everything has its own time,” Amunga said. “Even when I have pressure, I try to cool down and trust the process. Everything pays off.”
From Neighborhood Football to International Weightlifting
Before weightlifting, Amunga’s sporting life revolved around playing football with friends. The prospect of international competition and medals was not something he envisioned as a child. However, his dedication to weightlifting has opened new horizons.
“When I was a kid, playing football was all we knew. I never thought I would stand on an international stage or win a big medal like this. But after I started weightlifting and progressing, I began to see a future in it,” he reflected.
Setting the Tone for Team Kenya
Amunga’s breakthrough bronze marks Kenya’s first medal of the Games and sets a positive momentum for the national team as the competition continues in Scotland.
