Julius Ssekitoleko

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]

Julius Ssekitoleko
Personal information
Full nameJulius Ssekitoleko
NationalityUgandan
Born (2000-08-07) August 7, 2000[1]
Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight56 kg (123 lb)
Sport
CountryUganda
SportWeightlifting
Event(s)–56 kg
ClubKisugu Unified Club
Coached byKisugu Unified

Tokyo Olympics in 2021

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.

Early life

Ssekitoleko was born August 7, 2000, in Mulago Hospital, Kampala.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Weightlifting | Athlete Profile: Julius SSEKITOLEKO - Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games". results.gc2018.com.
  2. Rich, Motoko; Inoue, Makiko; Ueno, Hisako (July 16, 2021). "Ugandan Weight Lifter Missing in Japan Amid Olympic Lockdown". The New York Times.
  3. "Entrevista a Julius Ssekitoleko, el atleta que se fugó de la Villa Olímpica". cristianhbrossy.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2021-08-05.


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