Tariq grabs silver at world championship

Mr Pakistan defeated by India’s Bobby in final

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Waqas Tariq grabbed a silver medal at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship at the Indoor Athletic Stadium in Pattaya, Thailand yesterday.

Despite the current Mr Pakistan losing his gold medal to India’s Bobby Singh in the 80kg event, Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (PBBF) President Sheikh Farooq Iqbal is satisfied with the bodybuilder’s performance.

“There was tough competition but the results are good,” Iqbal told The Express Tribune from Thailand. “Tariq’s efforts have really paid off. He is in excellent form and hopefully he will continue to make us proud in the future as well.”



He further added, “Pakistan had won a silver medal last year after seven years and that was a breakthrough; now Tariq has carried on this year. The important thing for us was to have a place among the top four because the competition is very fierce, especially from India.”

Iqbal believes that Tariq, despite not winning gold, has a bright future. “We were hoping for him to clinch gold but this was his first appearance at a world championship. He certainly has proven himself as one of the leading bodybuilders in his weight category.”

In other weight categories, Fida Hussain (85kg), Zeeshan Baloch (75kg) and Mujahid Hussain (55kg) all finished among the top four in their respective categories.



Meanwhile Tariq’s teammate, Muhammad Furqan Khan, who could not travel with the national squad as he was suffering from dengue, believes Tariq’s feat would motivate other bodybuilders to do well.

“I’m happy for Tariq. He has begun to get his name out there and I’m sure he will make it big in years to come. His performance will certainly motivate other bodybuilders to hit the gym and improve on their fitness,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2016.

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