Commonwealth Games 2022: 24-year old Pakistani weightlifter wins gold Medal
24 Year-old weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt has created a new chapter in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
He lifted a total of 405 kg in the 109 weight category.
He lifted 173 kg in snatch and 232 kg in clean and jerk, which is a new Commonwealth Games record in 109 weight category.
From Birmingham after his win, Nooh Dastgir Butt said, ''I came close to a gold medal four years ago but unfortunately I didn't make it in the last trial which I was very sad about and I'm sorry for that. The bar wanted to make up for it. I know that my father is the happiest.
Nooh Dastgir Butt belongs to a famous weightlifting family. His father has had a profound influence on his career.
He says, ''My father Ghulam Dastgir Butt won medals in Asian competitions. He has won four gold medals in South Asian Games. He has been a 19-time national champion. I train under their supervision.
Nooh Dastgir Butt's younger brother Hanzla Dastgir Butt is also following in his footsteps and has represented Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Before the Commonwealth Games, Pakistan's weightlifting suffered a major setback when several weightlifters, including Olympic weightlifter Talha Talib, were banned for doping.
Nooh Dastgir Butt says, ''I did not pay any attention to this matter because it was a matter between these weightlifters and the federation. I was very focused on my training and I am glad that my hard work was not in vain.
Awaiting official approval
Nooh Dastgir Butt is also one of the players who complain that what he has done for the country has not received the recognition he deserves from the powers that be.
Nooh says, ''Look at my career, look at my achievements, but it's sad to say that weightlifting has not been given the place it should have. You can imagine that the equipment with which I train in Gujranwala is also bought by my father from abroad with his own money.
Nooh Dastgir Butt's record
Nooh Dastgir Butt won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games before going on to win a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
He won silver medals at the 2017 and 2021 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships. He has also won bronze medals at the Commonwealth Junior Weightlifting Championships twice.
Pakistani social media users are also celebrating this wonderful success of Noah. His name is currently trending on Twitter.