Most weightlifters walk away from the sport after the Olympics, not before. But Latvia’s Rebeka Ibrahima, formerly Koha, left in 2019, shortly before the Tokyo Games, where she may have medaled. Six years later, Ibrahima's returned to the weightlifting platform to handle some unfinished business.
- Remind Me: Ibrahima was one of the most popular weightlifters in the world in the 2010s, having built a reputation around her remarkable consistency and pristine technique.
At the 2025 European Weightlifting Championships, Ibrahima burst back onto the scene, exceeding everyone's expectations — including her own.
Weightlifting House pulled Rebeka aside shortly after the Women’s 59-kilogram medal ceremony to find out why she walked away from the sport, and what she expects from her comeback.
Interview: Rebeka Ibrahima at the European Weightlifting Championships
On Apr. 15, in Chisinau, Moldova, Ibrahima snuck onto the platform with a third-place finish behind Andreea Cotruta and Nina Sterckx:
- Andreea Cotruta (ROU): 208 (94/114)
- Nina Sterckx (BEL): 207 (94/113)
- Rebeka Koha (LAT): 206 (94/113)
We were aware of her intent to make a splash at the European Weightlifting Championships, but her modest entry total hadn’t indicated Ibrahima would be near the front of the field. How wrong we were; she was the only athlete to go six-for-six on the day.
Understandably, Ibrahima was in good spirits, and took a few minutes to fill us in.
Weightlifting House (WH): Why did you walk away from weightlifting, and what made you come back?
Rebeka Ibrahima (RI): "It was sudden. There were circumstances between my federation and I in Latvia. At that time, for my health, it was best to leave."
"In the back of my head, I always felt like I didn't finish what I started. [I left] before the Olympics in Tokyo — I had prepared for it, but I didn't go. I left it hanging. Last year, I came to a decision, that my husband supported, to come back and try again while I still have time."
WH: What are your goals right now?
RI: "Going to [the 2028 Olympics] would be great, but I'm taking things step by step. [Europeans] was a good competition for where I'm at right now as an athlete."
"It all depends, since I'm not only thinking about myself now. I have a family and children as well."
WH: Anything else you’d like to say to your fans now that you’re back?
RI: "I want everyone to keep supporting each other [in weightlifting]. Don't be mean, don't be hateful. Be supportive and happy for each other. Being a good person makes you stronger."
Catch the rest of the 2025 European Weightlifting Championships live on Weightlifting House TV, or read up at our Results hub.
