New Zealand weightlifter has Youth Olympic Games fourth placing upgraded to third following Gold Medallist disqualification.
New Zealand weightlifter Kanah Andrews-Nahu has been upgraded to third place in the Youth Olympic Games, following the disqualification of the gold medal winner.
The 18-year-old lifted a personal best combined total of 211kg to take fourth place at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games in October 2018.
Andrews-Nahu placing was upgraded, with the International Weightlifting Federation confirming the gold medal winner has been disqualified overnight.
Andrews-Nahu was surprised with the news at an informal event held at coach Richie Patterson’s weightlifting gym on the North Shore, Auckland.
"I'm extremely happy, just filled with emotion right now," said Andrews-Nahu.
"Competing at the Youth Olympic Games was such an awesome opportunity so to finish with a podium now is the icing on the cake, I can't quite believe it."
NZOC CEO Kereyn Smith congratulated Kanah on the upgraded result.
“We’re extremely proud of Kanah and this achievement,” said Smith.
“She put in a huge amount of effort at the Youth Olympic Games and deserves this new ranking.
“It is disappointing there has been a disqualification at a youth event however we look forward to working with IOC to understand the process around re-allocation of Youth Olympic Games medals.”
Olympian and Coach Richie Patterson was delighted with the news. “Kanah puts her heart into her sport and clearly has what it takes to go far. It’s a shame she couldn’t have stood on the podium in Buenos Aires last year however this result highlights her capability and potential.”
The Aucklander was the New Zealand Team flagbearer at the Youth Olympic Games.
Since the Games, Kanah won an incredible six gold medals and one bronze medal at the Pacific Games and Oceania Championships in July 2019 and is currently working towards earning a quota spot for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
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