Julius Ssekitoleko (born August 7, 2000) is a Ugandan Olympic weightlifter, competing in the 56 kg category and representing Uganda at international competitions. He has competed at world championships, including at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[1][2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Julius Ssekitoleko |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Born | August 7, 2000[1] Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 56 kg (123 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country | Uganda |
| Sport | Weightlifting |
| Event | –56 kg |
| Club | Kisugu Unified Club |
| Coached by | Kisugu Unified |
Early life edit
Ssekitoleko was born August 7, 2000, in Mulago Hospital, Kampala.[1]
Tokyo Olympics in 2021 edit
After arriving in Japan on June 19, 2021, for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ssekitoleko escaped from the Olympic village in July 18. He left a note in his room. In it, Julius said that he wanted to live in Japan and start a new life.
Two days later, on July 20, he was found in Nagoya by the security cameras of a train that he had boarded. He was immediately arrested by the local police and deported to his country, Uganda.
The first version said that Julius wanted to escape from his country because of poverty. However, in an interview with a Argentina journalist,[3] he said it was because he was depressed. He also revealed that the Ugandan sports authorities didn't allow him participate. They thought that Ssekitoleko should change his -67 kg category due to "administrative problems".
In that interview, the weightlifter told that when he arrived in his country, the police held him for five days until he was sent to his mother's house.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Weightlifting | Athlete Profile: Julius SSEKITOLEKO - Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games". results.gc2018.com.
- ^ Rich, Motoko; Inoue, Makiko; Ueno, Hisako (July 16, 2021). "Ugandan Weight Lifter Missing in Japan Amid Olympic Lockdown". The New York Times.
- ^ "Entrevista a Julius Ssekitoleko, el atleta que se fugó de la Villa Olímpica". cristianhbrossy.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
External links edit
- Missing Ugandan weightlifter runs away from Olympics to start a new life
- Olympics Missing Ugandan weightlifter wanted to stay in Japan - media reports
- Ugandan Weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko Missing in Japan Ahead of Tokyo Olympics
- Missing Ugandan Olympic hopeful left note saying he wants to work in Japan
- Ugandan athlete escaped from Olympic team in Japan found by police
 | This biographical article relating to weightlifting in Uganda is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |