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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.

Early life

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

Tokyo Olympics in 2021

After arriving in Japan on June 19, 2021, for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Ssekitoleko escaped from the Olympic village on July 18. He left a note in his room. In it, he 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 Ssekitoleko wanted to escape from his country because of poverty. However, in an interview with a Argentine journalist, he said it was because he was depressed. He also revealed that the Ugandan sports authorities didn't allow him to participate. They thought that Ssekitoleko should change his -67 kg weight category due to "administrative problems". In the interview, the weightlifter said that when he arrived back in his country, the police held him for five days until he was sent to his mother's house.

See also

• Immigration to Japan
• List of solved missing person cases

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.

External links

• Missing Ugandan weightlifter runs away from Olympics to start a new life
• Olympics Missing Ugandan weightlifter wanted to stay in Japan - media reports
• Ugandan Weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko Missing in Japan Ahead of Tokyo Olympics
• Missing Ugandan Olympic hopeful left note saying he wants to work in Japan
• Ugandan athlete escaped from Olympic team in Japan found by police

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