Pakistani weightlifter, Talha Talib, has won the first-ever medal for Pakistan at the World Weightlifting Championship on Friday. Talha Talib won a bronze medal at the snatch event in the 67kg category.
The 22-year-old weightlifter from Gujranwala secured a Bronze medal for Pakistan in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He lifted 143 kg in the first attempt at the snatch event but his following attempts to lift 146kg and 147kg were unsuccessful. However, with his first attempt, he managed to win the bronze medal.
Thank you everyone for your support. My twitter wasn't working in uzbekistan so that's why i didn't respond to your messages.
Esy e support krty rhyn or Agly competition k liye duaoun mein yaaad rkhyn. InshAllah bht jald World ka gold medal b ayega 🙏❤️
Pakistan zindabad 🇵🇰❤️— Talha Talib (@_talha_talib) December 11, 2021
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Last year, he earned the Bronze medal in the same category at the Asian Championship. Talha Talib announced his win on his Twitter account. “Thank you everyone for your support. My Twitter wasn’t working in Uzbekistan so that’s why I didn’t respond to your messages. Esy e support krty rhyn or Agly competition k liye duaoun mein yaaad rkhyn. InshAllah bht jald World ka gold medal b ayega Pakistan zindabad,” said Talha Talib in a Twitter post.
First weightlifter to represent Pakistan in Olympics
Talha Talib had received immense appreciation after he secured the fifth spot in weightlifting in Tokyo Olympics following a tough fight.
Weightlifter Talha Talib missed out on a rare opportunity to win a maiden gold medal for Pakistan. The 21-year-old athlete made his Olympic debut with a promising performance in the 67kgs men weightlifting competition. For a while, he led the race but was soon taken over by other weightlifters from China, Colombia, and Italy in final attempts.
Read more: Pakistani weightlifter Talha Talib wins hearts despite losing in Tokyo Olympics
Talha Talib has become the first weightlifter to represent Pakistan in Olympics in 44 years that too without a formal coach and standard training facility.
The young Pakistani athlete lifted 151kg in the Snatch category and was the second-best in the round. He failed his first Clean and Jerk attempt. Even though he was successful for the same weight in his next attempt and also cleared 170 kg later. His combined total of 320kg was surpassed by another athlete, Zani. Talib fell short of 2kgs for the bronze medal.