Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt and judoka Shah Hussain Shah have lifted the country’s spirit with their performance at Commonwealth Games (CWG) in England. Pakistan now has 2 Gold medals in Weightlifting and 1 Bronze in Judo. The country has total won 77 medals at the multi-sport event out of which 26 are Gold. Pakistan has competed in 13 CWGs since 1934 and currently ranks 15th in the world. Pakistan’s most successful sport in CWG has been Wrestling in which it has won 42 medals and ranks at #3 in the world. It has been astounding for the country to see their atheles excelling in other sports as well.
Nooh Dastagir Butt Overpowers at Commonwealth Games
The 23-year-old Nooh Dastagir Butt made a world record in +109 category, where weightlifter has to lift more than 109kg in a series of attempts. Butt finished with a total of 405kg, beating the 403kg set by New Zealand’s David Andrew Liti last year. Before Butt, Shujauddin Malik was the only Pakistani weightlifter to win gold in Commonwealth Games. Malik did in 85kg category in 2006.
Social media applauded the young beast and shared his impressive lift which brought in the gold.
Shah Hussain Shah Wins Bronze
On the other hand, Shah Hussain Shah, the son of Pakistani legendary boxer Hussain Shah, grabbed a bronze medal in Judo in 90kg category. It is the second medal for Shah, who first won a silver in 2014 Commonwealth Games in 100kg category. The 29-year-old prodigy defeated Thomas-Laszlo Breyytenbach from South Africa by ippon (the score in Judo). Shah made his opponent tap out in 1 minute and 30 seconds with a sankanku-jime, a hold that involves locking opponents neck and one arm with the legs. Here’s a video that shows Shah performing the devastating move on Breyytenbach.
Making the Country Proud
Besides the audience, many sports personalities also applauded these 2 athletes for a spectacular show. Here is Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam feeling proud of each and every athlete succeeding despite poor infrastructure and facilities in Pakistan. Just like Shah and Butt, javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem reaching World Athletics Championship finals, was also a proud moment for Pakistan.
