Lifting Her Way to Glory: Ntumi’s Olympic Dream Not Deterred by Heavy Metals, Stereotypes

Accra: 'I felt it would be very strange for me as a woman to tell my parents that I have decided to lift weights to earn a living. So, I decided to hide it from my parents as they always assumed that I was into athletics,' said Winnifred Ntumi, an African Games gold medallist. For many Ghanaians, weightlifting is mostly assumed as a sport for men, as the few women who compete in the sport face unfavourable gender stereotypes. But Ntumi was not perturbed about what people had to say about her newly found love; the sport of weightlifting. She trained day and night to be able to represent Ghana in various international competitions.According to Ghana News Agency, ranked among Africa's best female weightlifters in the 45kg and 49kg, Ntumi has won multiple medals at the African Games, African Championships, and the Commonwealth Championship. The 22-year-old weightlifting gem considers her proudest moment to be winning a gold and a silver for Ghana at the 2023 African Games, and she aims to deliver better perform ances in more prestigious competitions. Ntumi dreams of standing on the Olympic stage, representing Ghana with pride, and she trains rigorously every day to achieve this goal, despite the physical and mental challenges.Ntumi's journey into weightlifting was unplanned. She was initially more focused on athletics from primary school through senior high school. 'So I was more into athletics during the early stages, until I met a weightlifting coach, Otoo Larkyne who introduced me to the sport,' Ntumi shared. Coach Larkyne's guidance during the first six months was pivotal, sparking her interest and commitment to the sport. Ntumi faced the challenge of maintaining a strict diet but persevered to earn her first opportunity to compete at the African Championship in Egypt.The revelation of her weightlifting pursuits to her parents came just before her travel to Egypt. Ntumi recounted, 'On the day I was scheduled to travel to Egypt, I told my parents I was going to the athletics competition, and they decided to e scort me to the airport.' Despite the initial awkwardness, winning a bronze medal in Egypt and her parents' subsequent support bolstered Ntumi's resolve, paving the way for her to become one of Ghana's top female athletes.Even with numerous achievements, Ntumi feels unfulfilled, having missed the past two Olympic Games, but she remains determined to qualify for the Los Angeles Games in 2028. She aspires to soar higher and be among the best in the world, representing Ghana on the Olympic stage.Despite her dedication to the sport, Ntumi faces challenges related to gender stereotyping. She has encountered criticism about her physique and the perception that weightlifting is a male-dominated sport. However, Ntumi remains unfazed, focusing instead on her achievements and the pride of winning medals for Ghana. Her mental strength and determination allow her to rise above societal expectations and stay committed to her passion.In addition to her personal goals, Ntumi is committed to inspiring young women to pu rsue weightlifting. She wants to mentor young girls, encouraging them to enter the sport and earn a living from it. Her motivation to inspire others was reinforced after her historic wins at the 2023 African Games.Ntumi also highlights the need for support for the Ghana Weightlifting Federation. She urges the government and corporate bodies to provide assistance, emphasizing that such support is crucial for athletes to compete internationally and represent Ghana on the world stage. Ntumi underscores that competing in weightlifting is not just for personal glory but for promoting Ghana internationally and showcasing the country's diverse talents.