Lebanese powerlifter Joya Khairallah becomes the world's strongest 22-year-old - in pictures
Lebanese powerlifter Joya Khairallah, aged 22. Matthew Kynaston / The National
Khairallah trains in the gym after her record-breaking performance at the 2023 International Powerlifting Federation World Junior Championships. Matthew Kynaston / The National
'After stepping on to the platform, I initially had doubts because I was exhausted, and my back was hurting, but I persevered, I got it and I won,' she told The National. Matthew Kynaston / The National
'There's no actual word that really describes how I felt. It feels wonderful, but I'm still a bit in denial,' Khairallah said of her win. Matthew Kynaston / The National
The Lebanese champion achieved a total of 428.5kg for the bench, squat and deadlift during the competition. Matthew Kynaston / The National
Born in Beirut, the young woman started training in high school five years ago. Matthew Kynaston / The National
Powerlifting is generally viewed as a man's sport and Khairallah had to challenge deeply ingrained gender stereotypes within Lebanese society. Matthew Kynaston / The National
Khairallah at the World Classic and Equipped Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Photo: IPF
Khairallah set an IPF Junior World Record in her weight class. Photo: @joyatheant / Instagram
Khairallah at the World Classic and Equipped Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships 2022, where she won the silver medal. Photo: @joyatheant / Instagram
Michel Aoun, who was president of Lebanon at the time, awards Khairallah with the Medal of Merit in 2022. Photo: Presidency of the Republic of Lebanon
