Bio
Rayya Howard was born on November 17, 2016, and began Olympic weightlifting at the age of five under the coaching of 1992 Olympian Osman Manzanares at the Nashville Weightlifting Club. At just 8 years old, she is already a two-time national champion and multiple American record holder.
At the 2025 Arnold, she broke her own American records with a 32 kg snatch, 40 kg clean and jerk, and 72 kg total in the 30 kg class, all while weighing just 27.45 kg herself. Away from the platform, Rayya is equally fierce on the wrestling mat and playing tackle football.
Nationality: American
Born: November 17, 2016
Weight Class: 30 kg
Coach: Osman Manzanares, 1992 Olympic Athlete
