Rizwan Pathan, a national medalist in martial arts and gymnastics, now works as a daily wager at a marble factory in Nowshera due to severe financial hardship.

 

Pathan, who hails from Bajaur district, earned national recognition after winning a gold medal at the 2018 National Martial Arts Championships. He also secured several medals at district and provincial levels, building an impressive record in gymnastics and mixed martial arts.

 

Despite his achievements, Pathan now spends long hours doing physically demanding labor to support his family. He begins work after morning prayers and continues until 8 pm, lifting and cutting marble. 

 

After returning home, he tries to train whenever his body allows.

 

“When I work and look at my medals, I feel deep pain for my country,” he told a media outlet. “I am a national player in martial arts and gymnastics, but because of poverty, I had to leave sports and work in a marble factory.”

 

Pathan said he has won between 15 and 20 medals at district and provincial levels combined. In 2018, he won a silver medal in gymnastics at the provincial level and later claimed gold at the national level in mixed martial arts.

 

“Our family lives in extreme poverty,” he said. “That is why I work in a marble factory. The labor is very hard. After such exhausting work, it becomes difficult to train, but I still try.”

 

He added that many people around him fail to understand the value of sports achievements. “Some people say I became useless because medals do not put food on the table. Many in tribal areas do not recognize these achievements, but I never gave up and I will not give up,” he stressed. 

 

Pathan believes the lack of institutional support remains the biggest obstacle for athletes like him.

 

“No matter how big a player you become, there is no respect for athletes here,” he said. “Many players represent Pakistan internationally, yet the government does not support us, neither at the federal nor at the provincial level.”

 

His dream remains unchanged. “I want to fight for my country and raise Pakistan’s name at the international level. If the government supports us, I can compete internationally and also guide many young athletes.”