KARACHI: A rare and heartwarming sight was witnessed at the National Games, where three members of the same family, a mother, father, and their teenage daughter, competed in the weightlifting competitions, Geo News reported.
Among them was 15-year-old weightlifter Madiha Zubair, who is a ninth-grade student, representing Pakistan Railways.
She stole the spotlight for winning a silver medal in the women’s 86kg weight category, lifting a total of 129 kg.
Madiha said that she was exposed to weightlifting from the very beginning in her childhood. “I am happy to win a medal in the National Games, but I wish to represent Pakistan in the Olympics like my grandfather, Olympian Muhammad Manzoor,” she said.
Competing in the same category was her mother, Zahira Zubair, who represented the Pakistan Army. Zahira lifted 108 kg, narrowly missing a podium finish.
Despite not winning a medal, she said she felt true joy seeing her daughter succeed at such a young age.
Madeeha’s father, Zubair Manzoor, is also an international weightlifter for Pakistan and is set to compete in his event on Tuesday, representing Pakistan Police.
He expressed pride and happiness at the achievements of both his wife and daughter, saying he dreams of seeing the entire family wear the national colors.
Not only Zubair Manzoor’s wife and daughter, other family members are associated with weightlifting. His father, Muhammad Manzoor, represented Pakistan in the 1976 Olympics. His brother Zohaib and his sister Saima are also weightlifters and are in action for various weight categories in the National Games.
