Haidar Sultan of Pakistan wins First Gold Medal while Daniyal Aftab secures 4th Position in the Weightlifting event of BRICS Games being held at Kazan city of Rusia.
In the third day of the BRICS Games, Daniyal Aftab of Pakistan secured 4th position in the 89 kg body weight category. Daniyal Aftab participated in the 89 kg body weight category and lifted 133 kg in the Snatch and 165 kg in the Clean & Jerk events, with a total lift of 298 Kg, which was 4 kg more than his best total at any domestic competetion. This was first appreance of Daniyal Aftab at any international event.
Earlier, in a stunning competition with Russians, Haider Sultan of Pakistan had won the first ever Gold Medal for Pakistan in BRICS Games, being held in the Kazan city of Russia. Haidar Sultan contested in the 61 kg body weight category and lifted a total weight of 261 Kg i.e. 115 kg in Snatch and 146 kg in the Clean & Jerk. It was his outstanding performance at any national or international competition. Haider Sultan was far behind his Russian competitors in the Snatch event; but his final stunning and courageous lift of 146 kg in the clean & jerk event turned conclusive, for his maiden victory at the international BRICS Games, on 13th June 2024. Haidar Sultan hails from Gujranwala district of Punjab and represents Pakistan Army at the National level.
The team was accomponied by the seasoned and professional coach Mr. Shuja Ud Din Malik, who himself had been the Commonwealth Games 2006 Gold Medalist and Record holder. The motivation by Mr Imdaullah Meman, the chef-de-mission, and the technical expertise of the coach Mr Shuja ud Din Malik, maintained fighting spirit of Haidar Sultan and Diniyal Aftab.
The Interim Committee of Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWLF) with the financial and administrative support of the PSB had fielded a two members weightlifting team in the BRICS Games, despite tough resistance and blackmailing by the ex-officials of the PWLF, which has been suspended by the PSB due its involvement in systemetic doping, financial corruption, gross mal-administration, nepotism and violation of merit. Haidar Sultan along with other top players was deprived of his participation in the 2023 Asian Games Hangzue, despite being on merit and recommendations by the Interim Committee. Haidar Sultan was excited on his victory and thanked PSB and the Interim Committee of PWLF for their support and his selection on merit. He expressed his commitment to continue training for the Asian, Commonwealth and World Championships.
Stunning victory of Haidar Sultan has brought a ray of hope in the gloomy field of sports, where cricket has disappointed the entire nation.
Editor: Kamran Raja