The case in summary: Solfrid Koanda, the recent Olympic champion in weightlifting, came home to Sørlandet on Monday afternoon. She was greeted with cheers and hugs from club mates, friends, the mayor from her hometown Grimstad and family at Kristiansand Airport Kjevik. Koanda became the first Norwegian woman to win an individual gold in the Summer Olympics since 2004. She started weightlifting after being discovered by chance during cross training, and qualified for the NM just a few days later. Koanda worked as an electrician until 2022, when she decided to focus fully on weightlifting. During the Olympics in Paris, she lifted 154 kilos, the most of all, and it was enough for a superb Olympic gold. The recent Olympic champion in weightlifting received both hugs and cheers when she landed at Kristiansand Airport Kjevik. – It feels completely magical and completely unreal, says a happy Solfrid Koanda. Clubmates, friends, the mayor from his hometown Grimstad and family were waiting at the airport. She says the following about her own performance. – I have become Olympic champion and it is absolutely insane! I can’t fathom it! – How have the last few days been now after the gold medal? – There has been very little sleep. Yesterday was the closing ceremony and I was allowed to be the flag bearer and it was a huge moment for me. I followed myself very honored. In her bag she has the gold medal, which weighs a few kilos. But Koanda naturally has no problems lifting it up. – No, I can do much more! Photo: Amanda Perobelli / Reuters Sensational gold On Saturday, Koanda won Olympic gold in weightlifting, and she thus became the first Norwegian woman to win an individual gold in the Summer Olympics since Siren Sundby (sailing) and Gunn-Rita Dahle (cycling) did that in 2004. Koanda took gold four years after she was accidentally discovered. She did cross training, and got tips from a trainer to start weightlifting. A couple of days later she qualified for the NM, and after that things really took off. – I can’t fathom it. I’m in heaven. Damn, there were so many emotions that came. All the training hours and everything I’ve put this body through, and then I get it done on this stage, said the gold winner afterwards. – An extreme journey, sums up former weightlifter Stian Grimseth. Photo: Reuters Until 2022, Koanda worked as an electrician, before she decided to focus fully on weightlifting. Extreme nerves During the Olympics in Paris, you could see the nerves give way already after the first lift. While several of the competitors struggled to get the barbell over their heads, the Norwegian hope stood rock-solid with 117 kilos in her arms. Later, she lifted 121 kilos, and took her first jaf on her way to gold. In her last attempt, she tried her hand at 124 kilograms, which would have been an Olympic record in the jerk. In shock, she started last of all, and while the competitors showed signs of weakness, Koanda stood firm as a Norwegian mountain with 148 kilos. Later, Koanda lifted 154 kilos, the most of all, and it was enough for a superb Olympic gold. The last time Norway took Olympic gold in weightlifting was in 1972, when Leif Jenssen won in the light heavyweight class in Munich. Here, a surprised Koanda receives the gold notice Published 12.08.2024, at 16.22 Updated 12.08.2024, at 17.02
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Solfrid Koanda came home with Olympic gold – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
