Before taking the stage for her last lift during the Tokyo 2020 Games, Emily Campbell exhaled deeply, let out a fierce shout, and confidently stepped forward. Approaching the barbell, she adjusted her stance and fixed her gaze straight ahead.
A few moments later, she etched her name in history, setting a British and Commonwealth clean and jerk record of 161kg to secure a silver medal, becoming the first female British weightlifter to earn an Olympic medal. Overcome with emotion, she fell to her hands and knees, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks.
It was one of the most electrifying moments of the Games and a groundbreaking achievement for a young woman who had reached the apex of her sport in just five years without any official funding.
Now 30, Campbell recognizes how much has changed since the postponed Tokyo Games, which were held in empty venues due to the Covid pandemic. As she prepares to compete in the +81kg super heavyweight category on 11 August, the final day of these Games, she enters as one of the favorites.
“Prior to Tokyo, hardly anyone knew who I was,” she recalls. “Now there’s a great deal more pressure going into these Games, but I thrive under pressure. I’m really excited to step out there and showcase my skills.”
Following her success in Tokyo, Campbell’s performance soared. With support from post-Olympic funding by UK Sport, she secured European titles in both 2021 and 2022, along with a bronze at the 2021 World Championships and a silver in 2022. In 2022, she shattered the Commonwealth Games women’s weightlifting record, earning gold in the +87kg category.
However, 2023 brought setbacks as injuries, knee surgery, and back issues hindered her participation in the world championship race (although she narrowly clinched the European title). Reflecting on this challenging year, a fleeting shadow crosses her expression. “It’s tough when you come down from such a peak of incredible performance, then face constant rehab to regain your previous form. It is mentally and physically exhausting.”
Yet, her upbeat attitude soon returns. “Entering 2024, we faced a few lingering issues, but we’ve managed to resolve them. I am in great shape now, and everything is pointing in the right direction.”
She believes that overcoming adversity has only bolstered her for the Paris 2024 Games. In February, she became one of the rare athletes to win four consecutive European titles, triumphing in Sofia.
“You start to think, if I can endure all of this, then I can face anything that comes my way,” she asserts. “That’s the mindset I’m taking into Paris. Whatever challenges may arise, I am ready to tackle them because we faced the toughest battles last year and emerged stronger.”
Campbell is the only super heavyweight female athlete from Europe to secure qualification. Among her challengers will be the phenomenal 24-year-old Chinese weightlifter Li Wenwen, the reigning champion from Tokyo, who set Olympic records with lifts of 140kg in the snatch and 180kg in the clean and jerk.
“The Chinese have excelled in weightlifting – they’re phenomenal,” Campbell acknowledges. “But we are narrowing that gap, and I am confident that I will be in peak condition on the day, ready to deliver my best performance. Whatever the outcome, I will be content.”
When the time comes, she may find herself unaware of the weight she’s attempting to lift, as she leaves those calculations to her team working diligently behind the scenes. “My coaches will never place a weight on the bar that they believe I can’t lift,” she assures.
“I wasn’t aware I had won a silver medal in Tokyo until I stepped off the stage and someone informed me, which was a delightful surprise.”
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When asked to describe the moments leading up to a lift, she reflects for a moment. “There’s no feeling, no thoughts, and you can’t really hear anything. I just need to connect with the bar, and it’s time to execute.”
After a challenging qualification process leading up to the Games, Campbell emerged as the sole representative for GB Weightlifting. The reduction in weight classes from seven to five meant some teammates were forced to compete in unfamiliar categories with limited spots available. However, she remains optimistic about the future.
“We need this time to develop our sport,” she comments. “I have no doubt that soon, we will have more athletes representing us. For now, I’ll just have to shoulder the responsibility myself, and I’m ready to do just that.”
Her physique, with well-toned shoulders, quads, and glutes, certainly reflects her ability to handle that responsibility. When discussing her relationship with her powerful body, she is contemplative about the significant message it conveys. She has emerged as a key figure in the body positivity movement, with brands such as Aldi, NatWest, and Dreams eager to collaborate with her.
She points to the scars on her neck, remnants of countless barbells resting there before being lifted above. “That’s a part of my identity now,” she states. “I feel fortunate to have the chance to achieve something so extraordinary. I owe my body a thank you for that.”
Having experienced a significant transformation over the years—shifting from weighing around 95kg nine years ago to currently fluctuating between 128kg and 131kg—she advocates for a broader understanding of the health benefits associated with weightlifting. “As women, our bodies will always be on a journey; we are never going to look the same at every stage of our lives,” she explains. “It’s crucial that we learn to embrace and love every phase, finding beauty in each one.”
Campbell hasn’t set definitive plans for a career beyond weightlifting, though she’s intrigued by the possibility of commentary or presenting. Her long-term aspiration is to establish a youth development gym in Nottingham, giving back to a community that supported her journey to her first Olympics—thanking market vendors for providing her with free produce and small businesses that aided her travel to international events.
For now, her primary focus remains on Paris. If she’s feeling nervous before the Games, she’s doing a great job of concealing it. “It’s going to be incredibly special this time,” she smiles. “All my family and friends will be there to cheer for me, and hopefully, we can share another historic moment together, but this time in person.”
