Career
In the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships that were held in Paris, France, Koum placed 29th overall with a 112 kg snatch and a 145 kg clean and jerk. At the age of 15 Koum moved to Yaounde, Cameroon and began lifting weights inside a gym owned by his father. He finished 5th in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
After the completion of the games Koum chose to stay in Australia and sought asylum.
After two years he was granted Australian citizenship and was free to represent Australia in international competitions. After competing in the 2012 Oceania Weightlifting Championships, it was alleged that Kuom had demanded and received $5000 from Australian team officials prior to agreeing to compete.
Kuom was required to lift in order to allow an Australian competitor to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. Koum has denied the allegations.
