Enkileda Carja, the U17 World Champion in weightlifting, appeared on the show “Një Shqipëri” hosted by Mentor Nazarko, where she spoke about her remarkable success.

“I’ve faced my challenges, but if you work hard, you overcome them and achieve your goals. After school, I dedicate four hours every day to training,” she shared.

Her coach, Eglantina Kalemi, recounted how she first spotted Enkileda’s talent.

“Enkileda began weightlifting at the age of nine. She initially came to training to accompany her older sister, whom I had noticed even before Enkileda. Enkileda is now one of the best in Europe, the world, and certainly in Albania. We always expected her victories,” the coach explained.

Elez Gjoza, president of the Albanian Weightlifting Federation, praised the progress made in the sport.

“Weightlifting has always been the number one sport in Albania. We’re doing an excellent job, and the sport has reached a new level. Although we did not participate in the last Olympic Games due to qualification requirements, I am confident that in four years we will represent Albania at the Olympics,” he stated.

Born on January 23, 2008, in Elbasan, Enkileda Carja is the rising star of Albanian weightlifting.

In just eight years of her career, she has been crowned Albanian champion nearly 40 times, won 20 cups as the best athlete in the country, and in 2023, she was honored as Europe’s best female weightlifter.