Pakistan at last struck gold at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 being played in Birmingham as its weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt bagged maiden gold medal in weightlifting, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Nooh Butt, in 109+kg category, lifted 173kg in snatch while in clean and jerk, the Pakistani lifted 232kg and set another record. Overall, Nooh Butt lifted 405kg which is also a record in CWG 2022.
Following victory in CWG 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Nooh Butt. In a tweet, the prime minister said “Well done, Butt Saab.”
In the 2018 CWG, Nooh Butt won the bronze medal in the 105+kg category, while he also won a silver medal in the weightlifting championship in CWG last year in December.
It is the second time Pakistan has won the gold medal in CWG's weightlifting event. In 2006, Shujauddin Malik won the gold medal for Pakistan in the 85kg category.
During CWG 2022, Pakistan has also won bronze medal as judoka Shah Hussain Shah downed his South African opponent. Shah entered the bronze medal bout after losing his first round earlier in the 90kg category. This was his first-ever 90kg event as the Pakistani player has always played in the 100kg category.
Talking to the media after the historic achievement, the weightlifter from Gujranwala said, "I thank God for winning the medal. I can't express my feelings, I have been trying to win this game for the last seven years."
"It was hard work and dedication that made me win this gold. Winning a medal for your country is always a proud moment. And, gold is something special."
Nooh Butt further said "It was not easy for me to lift such a heavy weight. But, I pulled off doing it with hard work of 12 to 13 years. I dedicate this gold to my father, who worked for 12 years and helped me reach this stage."
The weightlifter said that his father trained him at home, saying, "My father was also an international weightlifter. And, my brother is also in this sport."