KARACHI: Pakistani weightlifter Usman Amjad Rathore is hopeful to win a medal in the upcoming Asian Games which will begin in China in September.
Usman will compete in the 109kg category and wants to wave the Green flag after winning the medal.
“Asian Games is a big event for which I have been training hard for a long time,” Usman said while talking to Geo News. “I have been doing nine different training sessions in my club and am lifting 80 percent of the target weight while following the pre-competition training plan.”
He added further that in training, normally everyone only lifts 80 to 85 percent of the targeted weight to keep the body fresh for the competition.
It must be noted that Usman won the gold medal in weightlifting in the 109kg category by lifting 300kg in the National Games 2023 that were held in Quetta.
“I am aware that the competition in the Asian Games will be too much. The Russian, Irani and Chinese athletes are too strong, I will have to give my best to win the medal,” he added.
He also stated that many people in the country do not support the athletes.
“Other than the federation and Olympics Association, no one comes forward to support the weightlifters. I believe that corporations in the country should support us because wrestling and weightlifting are two competitions that brought Pakistan the most medals since its Independence.
“If a weightlifter is supported in the country and gets sponsorship, they can achieve greater results.”
He also complained that despite winning a Silver in the Commonwealth Championship 2015 in India, the government of Pakistan did not give him any money. He also appealed to the government that he should get the money for the medal he won seven years ago.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.