Fatemeh Keshavarz Awarded Olympic Solidarity Refugee Athlete Scholarship

British Weight Lifting (BWL) is pleased to confirm that UK-based athlete Fatemeh Keshavarz has been awarded an Olympic Solidarity Refugee Athlete Scholarship.

Originally from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Fatemeh was granted refugee status in the United Kingdom in September 2025. Now based in Liverpool, she has continued to pursue her weightlifting career despite significant personal and financial challenges.

A highly talented athlete, Fatemeh won gold at the 2023 Asian Junior Championships and placed 8th at the 2024 World Junior Championships. Since transitioning into the British system, she has continued to perform strongly, securing second place at the 2025 England Senior Championships.

The Olympic Solidarity Refugee Athlete Scholarship will provide access to enhanced training environments, consistent coaching support, nutritional provision and financial stability, enabling Fatemeh to fully focus on performance and accelerate her development within the sport.

Fatemeh Keshavarz said: ‘This support means everything to me. Weightlifting has given me strength, purpose and hope, even in the most difficult moments of my life. Since coming to the UK, I have done everything I can to keep progressing, but it has not been easy. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to train properly, to improve, and to believe that I can reach a higher level. I want to show that no matter where you come from or what challenges you face, it is still possible to achieve your goals.’

Matthew Curtain, CEO of British Weight Lifting, said: ‘Fatemeh is an athlete of genuine international calibre. This scholarship provides the platform for her to further develop within a high-performance environment and continue her progression. British Weight Lifting extends its sincere thanks to the British Olympic Association, the International Weightlifting Federation, the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity for their collective support. Their continued commitment is instrumental in creating meaningful pathways for athletes facing adversity to realise their potential.’