Pak sisters win gold in World Weightlifting event in SA

Pakistani women weightlifters Sehar Sohail and Veronika Sohail have made history by winning gold medals at the ongoing Weightlifting Championship in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Competing in the 52 kg and 57 kg categories respectively, the sisters excelled in squat, bench press, deadlift, and overall weight, securing top honours and elevating Pakistan’s stature in the sport.

The Weightlifting Federation’s Secretary, Rashid Malik, confirmed that Pakistan’s total gold medal count at the Asian Pacific African Combined Weightlifting Championship has now reached eight.

The Sohail sisters’ achievements have been a highlight, with their performances inspiring pride across the nation.

Their younger sister, Twinkle Sohail, is set to compete next, with all three sisters participating in the equipped weightlifting category on July 13.

Their journey to South Africa was made possible through the support of the Sports Board Punjab.

The outstanding performances by the Sohail sisters underscore the rising talent in Pakistan’s weightlifting scene and reflect the dedication and hard work invested in their training.

Meanwhile, a top official of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program applauded the Sohail sisters for their outstanding performance in South Africa, describing the sisters as the ‘Pride of the Nation’.

“Our daughters like Cybil and Veronica Sohail are the pride of our nation,” Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, said in a social media post. “These girls have proven their abilities on the global stage by winning gold medals.”

Mashhood said the Sohail sisters had also participated in the Punjab Youth Festival, adding that the Prime Minister’s Youth Program was trying to provide full support to such athletes.

“To engage the country’s youth in positive activities, we need to revive the sports fields,” he added. “Encouraging young Pakistani athletes will enable our country to win more gold medals.”