Muslim weightlifter competes in full-body unitard

Kulsoom Abdullah competed in the women's senior weightlifting division, in the 48kg and 53kg weight classes. PHOTO: FILE

Kulsoom Abdullah has become the first woman to compete in the US weightlifting championships while wearing clothing that covers her legs, arms and head.

Kulsoom was cleared to compete in accordance with her Muslim faith after the International Weightlifting Federation ruled that athletes could wear a full-body unitard under the customary weightlifting uniform.

Thirty five year old Kulsoom, born in the US to Pakistani parents, competed in the women’s senior weightlifting division, in the 48kg and 53kg weight classes.

She finished fifth out of six competitors in her weight class after clearing a snatch of 41 kilograms and 57 kilograms in the clean and jerk.

Kulsoom will compete in the 2011 National Weightlifting Championships in Council Bluffs, her first national competition since the sport’s international regulators revised its rules.