Inverness weightlifter will represent Scotland at International Women’s Weightlifting Grand Prix in Wels, Austria.
SARA Boussaikouk is looking to raise her weightlifting career to new heights after being called up to represent Scotland in international competition for the first time.
The Inverness athlete has been named in the national squad to compete at the International Women’s Weightlifting Grand Prix in Austria.
The 35-year-old will be taking on top weightlifters from across the world when she competes at Wels in August.
Boussaikouk, who works in social media and online marketing, only took up the sport four years ago as she was looking for a new challenge.
She has now risen the ranks to become one of the top weightlifters in the country and is looking forward to representing Scotland.
Speaking about how she first got involved in weightlifting, she said: “During Covid I got really bored and was looking to do something after lockdown.
“I saw that Inverness Leisure Centre started Olympic weightlifting classes and I originally thought it would be squatting and weightlifting. Once I started, I really enjoyed it, especially because it was hard to do which made it addictive for me.
“I have now been weightlifting for four years and have won competitions across Scotland and I have done one national competition.
“There was a call-up for female athletes looking to register interest for the International Women’s Weightlifting Grand Prix and I decided to apply.
“I got the email saying that I had been selected. Even though I have been doing a lot of competitions nationally, I still can’t believe that I have been called up.”
Boussaikouk, who is a member of Highland Weightlifting Club, has achieved success in competitions across Scotland and has won two gold medals this year at the Scottish Masters and at Broxburn Strength and Fitness Open.
Last year, she won four competitions and also came second at the Scottish Open.
She says that the competition in Austria will be a step above anything she has done before in the sport, but is relishing the opportunity.
She said: “In Austria, I will be competing as a master in the 86 kg category. I have not done anything like this before and I would love to win a medal.
“But potentially I will be up against former Olympians from across Europe. It would be nice to finish somewhere in the top-10.
“But I never thought I would be selected for Team Scotland in my 30’s as I picked up a barbell for the first time when I was 31.”
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Boussaikouk is looking to raise at least £1000 to cover her costs of competing at the International Women’s Weightlifting Grand Prix and has set up a Go Fund Me page.
Any money she raises over her £1000 target, she plans to donate to athletes who have been selected to compete for Scotland at the competition.
