Pakistani contingent makes history at 12th World Strength Lifting and Incline Bench Press C'ship

Pakistan’s three-member contingent made history at the 12th World Strength Lifting and Incline Bench Press Championship in Pattaya, Thailand, clinching multiple medals against formidable competition from across Asia.

Representing Pakistan on the global stage, team captain Rao Zafar Iqbal Advocate (Melsi) bagged a silver medal in the Master 1 category, while Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf earned silver in Master 2. Rising strength athlete Urooj Kiran impressed with two bronze medals in the Senior category, marking a breakout performance.

The competition featured teams from Sri Lanka, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Thailand, and Pakistan, showcasing elite lifters across disciplines. In a manager’s meeting during the event, officials confirmed the inclusion of strength lifting in the 6th World Nomad Games, scheduled to be held in Kyrgyzstan in 2026—an exciting development for emerging strength athletes.

In recognition of the team’s achievement, Pakistan Strength Lifting Federation Chairman Haji Manzoor Shaheen and President Aqeel Javed Butt, a former international weightlifter, have announced a grand welcome for the medalists at Lahore Airport on July 21.