The Kenyan athlete, who has spina bifida, a congenital malformation of the spine, finished fifth at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, and this time is hoping to win any medal because “anything can happen."

In 2012 she was stuck at home in Embu, 125 km northeast of Nairobi, after she was unable to afford university.

For three years she helped out around the house until a friend suggested she try powerlifting - much to her parents' horror, who were worried about the strain on her body, AFP reports.

She lifted 95 kg in Tokyo, and since then her list of achievements has only grown, capped by a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Lifting double her own body weight has helped Wawira feel "strong and powerful".

Through her journey, she hopes to change the way disability in the East African country is viewed, where "society does not really accept us".

"Living with a disability in Kenya is not easy," said Wawira, who uses a wheelchair.

"My dream is to create a foundation after I retire. A foundation to nurture young talents who live with disabilities in Kenya so that they can support themselves," concluded the athlete.