Nooh Dastagir Butt sets new record at Asian Powerlifting Championship

Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt has set a new record in the Asian Powerlifting Championship, currently being held in Uzbekistan.

According to reports, Pakistani powerlifting star Butt has set an Asian record by lifting 400kg in squats at the championship.

Butt also won the first gold medal in the 120+ kg category.

Meanwhile, medals for bench press, deadlift and overall events are yet to be decided.
Previously, the trailblazer weightlifting pro won the title of the Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion in the 120kg category. The tournament was held in South Africa.

He won a total of four, three gold and one bronze, medals in said championship.

Back in October, Butt also excelled in the bench press and squat categories, winning the gold medal in the 120kg open category. 

He also won the gold medal in the squat category by lifting a weight of 370kg, while in bench press, he bagged another gold medal by lifting a weight of 210kg.

He collected a bronze medal in the deadlift category by lifting 280kg. However, in the open category, he lifted a total weight of 860kg and won the title.

It merits a mention that Butt has won several medals for Pakistan in weightlifting, but after differences with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, he switched from weightlifting to powerlifting.

Pakistani weightlifter expressed disappointment over the lack of support and opportunities provided to him to qualify for the prestigious sporting event of the Olympics. 

He highlighted the disparity between his achievements and the support he has received from the authorities as he pointed out that a New Zealand athlete whom he defeated at the Commonwealth Games was able to secure a spot in the Olympics.

In an interview with the Express Tribune, Nooh said, “When my path in weightlifting was closed, I had no choice but to go for powerlifting, and that's where I also won medals at the national level twice before and won my third title this year."

 "My next plan is going ahead in powerlifting, I must pursue a career in that," he said with determination. 

After this, he started venturing out in powerlifting from there on while aiming to secure a place in the Pakistan squad for the next Olympics, which are to be held in 2028.