Para sport – Lansana Soumah: "I'm aiming to compete at the Paralympic Games"

Sport News Africa : In October 2022, you won the first two bronze medals of your career at the African Weightlifting Championships in Egypt. How did you experience that event?

Lansana Soumah: It was a special moment. Until then, I had never taken part in a competition in Guinea. To find myself a champion on the international stage is a huge source of pride. Flying your country's flag high, I think that's something every athlete is proud of. It's a dream I've held since I started doing sport, and it came true that day. And there, I managed to win two bronze medals. I hope this is only the start of a very good story for the rest of my career as an athlete.

Despite the lack of competitions for para athletes, in under two months you managed to win three medals, one of them gold, on the international stage. What goals have you set yourself?

When you take part in competitions and win medals, you inevitably have ambitions. And those get raised. Like any athlete, I dream of competing in at least one edition of the Paralympic Games. With the Paris 2024 Paralympics fast approaching, my greatest wish is to take part and, why not, try to win a medal. I think it's the perfect opportunity. It would be historic for Guinea. I'm trying to do everything I can to make it happen.

To make the Paralympic Games, you will need to perform very well in the qualifying competitions and tournaments. What conditions are you preparing in?

It's not easy at all. Every day after school, in the evening, I train at the training centre, even though it isn't straightforward. The ground isn't suited to archery. That damages our equipment. As for weightlifting, we don't have the right equipment, even though the federation's officials are doing their best to give us decent conditions. We make do while waiting to get suitable equipment. But for now, I'm focusing on the work, because that's the only thing that will let me reach my goals.

Mamadou Gongorè DIALLO