Daniel Koum

Daniel Ebenezer Koum Koum (born 25 May 1985, in Douala) is a Cameroon-born Australian weightlifter in the −62 kg category. In the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships that were held in Paris, France, Koum placed 29th overall with a 112 kg snatch and a 145 kg clean and jerk.

Daniel Koum Koum
Personal information
Full nameDaniel Ebenezer Koum Koum
Nationality Australia
Born (1985-05-25) 25 May 1985
Douala, Cameroon
Height1.56 m (5 ft 1 in)
Weight61 kg (134 lb)
Medal record
Men's Weightlifting
Representing  Cameroon
African Weightlifting Championships
Gold medal – first place2005 Kampala– 56 kg
Representing  Australia
Oceania Weightlifting Championships
Gold medal – first place2008 Auckland– 62 kg
Gold medal – first place2009 Darwin– 62 kg
Gold medal – first place2010 Suva– 62 kg
Silver medal – second place2012 Apia– 62 kg
Arafura Games
Gold medal – first place2009 Darwin– 62 kg

Weightlifting career

At the age of 15, Koum moved to Yaounde, Cameroon and began lifting weights inside a gym owned by his father. He developed the strength required to allow him to represent Cameroon in several international competitions such as the 2005 World Weightlifting Championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He finished 5th in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

During the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Koum was granted a sports visa to compete in the games.[1] After the completion of the games, Koum chose to stay in Australia and sought asylum.[2] After two years, he was granted Australian citizenship[1][2] and was free to represent Australia in international competitions. As an Australian competitor, Koum won the Oceania Weightlifting Championships gold medal for three years running, and became a dual Victorian and Australian Championships gold medalist.

After competing in the 2012 Oceania Weightlifting Championships, it was alleged that Kuom had demanded, and received, $5000 from Australian team officials prior to agreeing to compete. Kuom was required to lift in order to allow an Australian competitor to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. Koum has denied the allegations.[3]

References
  1. Smith, Wayne (15 June 2012). "Weightlifting officials under AOC spotlight in extortion investigation". The Australian. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  2. Donovan, Samantha (13 June 2012). "Koum may compete despite cash demand". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  3. Kogoy, Peter (14 June 2012). "Alleged $5000 request sinks Daniel Koum Koum's Games hope". The Australian. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
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