Kitakyushu 2018: Next stop Astana!

Kazakh lifter Raushan Koishibayeva looks forward to home Worlds 13 Sep 2018 By World Para Powerlifting

“Receiving the strongest powerlifters in the world is an amazing opportunity to showcase the sport to the local audience.”

Raushan Koishibayeva ended satisfied with her performance at the Asia-Oceania Open Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan. Kazakhstan's powerlifter lifted 111kg to finish second in the women’s up to 67kg.

But the silver medal almost tasted like gold considering it was Paralympic champion and world record-holder Tan Yujiao who ended ahead of her.

Koishibayeva knows that the Chinese has been dominated the category and is seemingly unstoppable.

“I am very happy with the silver medal. Tan is a great rival,” the 52-year-old said. “It is not easy for powerlifters my age to remain in the elite of the sport when there are so many young strong powerlifters. Results like this one make me happy.

“I enjoyed this competition a lot. From the hotel, food, transport to the powerlifting itself. I am leaving Japan satisfied.”

Next for the Paralympic silver medallist are her home World Championships in Astana, between 29 June and 6 July 2019.

She knows this once-in-a-lifetime experience will help develop powerlifting in the country and show her family and friends the sport she is so passionate about.

“I am very excited for the World Championships. I hope everything to be of the highest level such as in Kitakyushu, including organisation and the competition.

“Receiving the strongest powerlifters in the world is an amazing opportunity to showcase the sport to the local audience.”

Koishibayeva, who fell under a train in 1990 resulting in the amputation of her legs below the knees, knows that her career is coming to an end.

But before thinking about retirement, she dreams about one thing: qualifying for her second Paralympic Games.

“Competing at Tokyo 2020 is what I want and what I train for,” she said.

“And I want to win gold. I train for that.”