Weightlifter Saqib grabs gold in India

17-year-old Pakistani won 77kg category at Commonwealth Championship

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Muhammad Saqib clinched gold at the 2015 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Pune, India on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old, competing in the 77kg youth category, lifted a total weight of 216kg to grab the gold medal with a difference of 6kg from his nearest competitor.

Meanwhile, two Sri Lankan weightlifters finished second and third to win the silver and bronze medals for their country.

Read: Commonwealth championships Weightlifters begin campaign on Monday

Saqib is one of the four athletes from Pakistan competing at the championship.

According to Pakistan Weightlifting Federation vice-president Muhammad Rashed Malik, Saqib had been a favourite to win and added that they were now pinning hopes on Usman Rathore, who will take the floor on Wednesday in the 94kg category.

“We are expecting more medals in India,” Malik told The Express Tribune. “Saqib performed well, now we’re expecting Rathore to be among the top three in the 94kg event.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2015.

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