How Solfrid Koanda, Injured, Won the World Weightlifting Championships

Eight weeks out from the World Weightlifting Championships, Solfrid Koanda quietly nursed an injury that, at its most debilitating, resigned her to training with just a technique bar. 

Eight days out, she wasn’t sure if she’d make her openers.

Eight hours out, Solfrid received a text from the Prime Minister of Norway: “Good luck today.”

Eight minutes out, it looked like the Dominican Republic’s dark horse, Yudelina Peguero, was going to pull off the upset of the competition.

Eight seconds after winning the World Championships, Solfrid was on the ground in the back room, slamming her palm against the carpet, gushing with joy. 

• “It was the proudest moment of my life,” she told us. “The expectations and pressure were higher than at the Olympics.”

We sat down with Solfrid a few weeks after Worlds to discuss her nail-biting finale against Peguero, the stakes of having Norwegian royalty in attendance, and what she’s changing before her next international appearance.

Below is our interview with Solfrid Koanda, conducted a few weeks after the World Weightlifting Championships wrapped in Førde. Portions of her answers have been edited for brevity. Emphasis ours.

Weightlifting House (WH): How did winning Worlds this year compare to getting gold at the Olympics in 2024?

Solfrid Koanda (SK): "Paris was surreal—I came in as an underdog, feeling like I had everything to lose, but also everything to prove.

Førde, on the other hand, felt incredibly personal. I had family and friends in the stands, plus the King of Norway, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Culture. It felt like the entire town, maybe even the whole country, was behind me. The pressure was actually higher than the Olympics.

I was also dealing with an injury that needed attendance every day for the 8 weeks leading up to the competition. I celebrated every lift, even being able to advance from a technical bar to a women's bar. I didn't know if I would even be able to make my openers.

I was fighting not only the kilos on the bar, but also something totally out of my control, that made my performance even more meaningful, to know I could stand under 152KG having done everything I could. I left the rest to fate."

WH: Did the Norwegian officials in attendance seem interested in the sport?

SK: "I've had the pleasure of meeting them before to emphasize how important sports are for Norway, but it was honestly nerve-wracking to have them there. My day started with a 'good luck' text from the Prime Minister.

King Harald V has always shown a genuine interest in sports, being a former athlete himself, who competed at both the World and Olympic level in sailing. It was also the first time the Prime Minister and King attended a World Championships before, which made the moment feel historic.

It was the proudest moment of my life lifting with the flag of Norway on my chest. The national support meant everything to me."

WH: Are there any disadvantages to competing in your own country?

SK: "Definitely. The energy from the city is incredible, but it also creates a different kind of pressure—there are more distractions and higher expectations. The attention can affect your rest, focus, and your sense of control. 

It's still all very new to me. I've had to work really hard to protect my inner peace. I'm not someone who naturally thrives in the spotlight.

WH: You're working with the German national team coach now. How's it going so far?

SK: "I met Almir Velagić for the first time leading up to Worlds in 2022. At the time, the contract between my federation and then-coach Zygmunt Smalcerz was ending, which left me without a full-time coach."

• Almir Velagić is a former Men's super-heavyweight who lifted for Germany at the Olympics in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
• Zygmunt Smalcerz won gold for Poland at the 1972 Olympics and oversaw USA Weightlifting's coaching apparatus from 2010 to 2017.

"I had a temporary replacement which lasted from 2022 up to Paris. Since the Olympics, working with Almir has been really positive. We've used the last year to get to know each other and build trust.

To integrate with the German national team, who are experienced and professional, has helped me grow as an athlete. I'm inspired to do better each day because of them. It's an environment I can't find in Norway."

WH: When will we see you on the international stage in 2026?

SK: "Right now, the plan is to compete at the European Championships. I want to come back from my injury stronger and fully prepared, but my peak will depend on how my rehab and training progress."

If you didn't catch Solfrid's performance live on WLHOUSE TV, you can find the full session on YouTube, along with other highlights and top moments from Worlds '25.