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Rebeka Ibrahima is making her second comeback in two years. In 2025, Ibrahima, formerly Koha, returned to the European stage and swiped a bronze medal at 59KG behind Nina Sterckx (BEL) and Andreea Cotruta (ROU).
At the time, Rebeka was using Euros as a precursor to her formal return at the World Champs in Norway. Blown-out menisci in both knees changed her plans.
Fans of Rebeka’s in the 2010s will remember her stellar run as a late Junior athlete. Between 2016 and 2018, Rebeka made ten international podiums in a row.
Now, things are different; she’s older, displaced from her home in Qatar, and a mother to two children. The 2028 Olympics are a “maybe”—but Worlds 2026 is a must-do.
Rebeka Ibrahima
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Weightlifting House
Below is our conversation with Rebeka Ibrahima, conducted shortly after the 2026 European Weightlifting Championships.
Portions of this interview have been edited for clarity.
WLHOUSE (WH): Why did you stop competing after the 2025 European Championships?
Rebeka Ibrahima (RI): "Later that year, I struggled with an old injury in my knee. The meniscus was very damaged, almost torn, and my left knee was in a similar condition. In August 2025, I had surgery on my right knee. They repaired my menisci in both knees with 'anchors,' which tie the tissue back to the bone. In October, they did the same procedure to my right knee."
WH: How is your recovery going now?
RI: "Recovery, thank God, is going good. For a few months, I didn't do any lifting, just different 'weird' exercises to strengthen my knees. Since February, I've started again, little by little, adding some weights and machine work into my workouts. I'm now back to lifting. I finally feel normal again.
Right now, my coach and I are focusing on strengthening my deep core musculature, and adding more physical therapy, to avoid injury. And, as always, we're working to keep my technique as precise as possible."
WH: Where are you living and training?
RI: "Right now, I'm in Latvia, as the situation in Qatar is not safe due to the conflict between Israel, Iran, and the U.S. I will represent Team Latvia once again.
Qatar asked me to commit to the 2028 Olympics on their behalf in 2022-2023. I did not provide an answer at the time, and since I've left, I have not thought of returning, even if they offered again.
I'm also back with none other than my previous coach, Eduards Andruskevics. Since the qualification preparation period has begun, we need to spend more time together."
WH: What are your plans for the rest of 2026?
RI: "Our plan is to recover as best I can, protect myself from injury and, God willing, have a good performance at the World Championships. I've always been the kind of athlete who doesn't like to share goal numbers or give too many specifics. I let Eduards handle all that."
WH: Have you reconnected with Ritvars Suharevs?
RI: "We communicate respectfully in the gym, just as I try to do with everyone else. But it's not the same as it was years ago."
WH: How has the sport changed in your eyes since you last actively competed?
RI: "People are stronger now. There's more competition between the athletes, and there are more new faces involved—all of which are positive things. But, unfortunately, there's also still too much politics. It affects the athletes in unfair and unwelcome ways, and I'm sad to see them mix. In my opinion, sport should be kept as separate as possible."
WH: Has motherhood changed your relationship with the sport?
RI: "Yes. I've learned I have to be even more responsible. Taking care of kids gives you a lot of discipline, patience, and experience. I think that has carried over to my weightlifting and helps me be consistent in the gym, even when training is hard.
I want my children to be proud of their Mom when they grow up. I'm going to do my absolute best to show them what I'm capable of, how strong I can be, and to teach them nothing matters but what's in their hearts."
