Gerard Abeussa - Athlete Interview - Dedication through hardship
Stats 📈
Name - Gerard Abeussa | Country - Cameroon | D.O.B - 18th October 1998 | Sport - Olympic Weightlifting
Most Recent Competition - African Championships 5th February 2024 - 5th Place | Snatch 125kg | Clean & Jerk 162kg
Current Cameroon National Champion 2023 @73kg | Holds Current Cameroon Records @73kg in the Snatch, Clean & Jerk And Total
Best Lifts in training - Squat 220kg | Snatch 130kg | Clean & Jerk 170kg
Having a chat 🎙
I caught up with Gerard last week, chatting about his life, training, diet and what his plans are for the future. To be frank, it’s very inspiring.
For Note: This Q&A was done using google translate as neither of us can speak the others language.
Gerard began weightlifting in 2009, he stated that the technique in weightlifting wasn’t very difficult for him in the beginning but as he grew older he found difficulties as his body grew and had to change his technique to suit.
When he left school in 2012, at 14 years old, he said at this time he had to face life head on and the difficulties of his world. He was discouraged from his weightlifting path, having to focus on working long hours at several jobs, from learning and working on air conditioning, to masonry.
He says that he began weightlifting again during his full time work after he found strength through finding God in his life, stating that due to this, he learned to live in difficulty, accept conditions as they are without complaining and still pursue his weightlifting dreams. We will get into what his life and training looks like now, later in the article!
His ACCOMPLISHMENTS & Goals 🥇🥈🥉
Even through his difficulties of training equipment and funding, he has managed to outlift most with every luxury at their disposal.
Currently ranked #42 at the 73 kg weight class in the world according to the IWF at the time of this writing.
2015 - African Youth Championships - Uganda - 2nd Place
2018 - African Junior Championships - Egypt - Not Placed
2022 - African Championships - Egypt - 3rd Place
2023 - African Championships - Tunisia - 4th Place
2023 - Cameroon National Championship - 1st Place
2024 - African Championships - Egypt - 5th Place
Gerard aims to repeat his national championship title this year, improving his strength and lift numbers to get back on the podium at the next African championship competition.
His training 💪
Gerard states he trains 4-5 days per week between 7am and 11am, depending on what his work commitments are and if he has a competition coming up.
He trains at his local gym, unlike others competing at this level, who may have fancy new barbells or fine calibrated plates, Gerard uses what he equipment he has available.
Competing in Olympic Weightlifting, the majority of his training revolves around the Snatch, Clean & Jerk, and Squatting. Gerard spends a lot of time working on technical faults within his main lifts. One challenge he experiences is receiving the snatch in the hole due to fear, so he likes to strengthen his bottom position.
His currently weekly training schedule is outlined below ⬇️
Monday - Squat / Clean and Jerk / Clean Pulls
Tuesday - Clean and Jerk + Snatch Technique Drills / Direct Ab Work.
Wednesday - Squat / Snatch / Snatch Pulls / Bodybuilding Accessory Work.
Thursday - Snatch Technique Drills / Direct Ab Work / Stretching
Friday - Snatch + Clean and Jerk at 80-90%
Gerard uses specific bodybuilding work to address muscle imbalances and weakness, although does say he avoids any direct bicep work as it interferes with his mobility to perform his main lifts.
His favorite Body Building Accessories are:
Pullups (Variations)
Seated Military Press
Back Extensions
Forearm work, wrist curls etc. This helps him with stability when landing in the Snatch.
Some of his lifting and bodybuilding accessory work.
Diet 🍳
Gerard usually eats 3 meals per day at specific times to allow his body to digest his food. Although, his schedule can change due to work commitments and availability to train. Currently:
Breakfast between 9-11am, or whenever he has finished his training (usually trains fasted)
Lunch between 2-3pm
Evening meal between 7-9pm
His day to day diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables. His main source of protein is beans, eggs and chocolate milk. As for any supplements, he takes Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and a Multivitamin everyday.
Gerard does say that his diet is subject to his living conditions, there are days he can get the above food and days where he can’t, which he says he has learned to tolerate and accept.
Life Now 🏋️
At the moment Gerard has no sponsors and receives no funding. He now works full time while training, as a beautician doing manicures and pedicures to pay for his food and fund his training, remaining hopeful he can progress his weightlifting career and eventually earn money from it.
He is currently coached by Jean Baptiste Yanou Ketchanke.
As previously mentioned, Gerard hopes to repeat his Cameroon National Title at the 73 kg weight class, improve his weightlifting numbers and one day, break the current World Records!
If you would like to follow Gerards journey, you can find his Instagram HERE.
