Young Christian athlete Sibirsohail made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to win a gold medal at the Asian Weightlifting Masters Championship held in Doha, Qatar last week.
The result also marked Sohail’s international debut at Weightlifting. She is already known as the federal powerlifting champion.
The 31-year-old competed in the 59 kg category and lifted a total of 95 kg to secure a gold medal. Her performances included a more solid performance with a 40 kg lift on the snatch and a 55 kg lift on the clean, jerk.
Speaking to Doha reporters after the event, Sohail said she had always dreamed of being proud of her country and her family.
“We sacrificed a lot for the sport, but we need to make sure that all of that effort and dedication is rewarded,” she said.
Sohail is the eldest son of four Sohail sisters (Twinkle, Veronika and Mariam) who became prominent figures in Pakistan’s strength sports. At the 2024 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship, the sisters made headlines with a total of 15 gold medals. Sybil contributed six of these victories.
She previously was internationally recognized at the 2017 Oceania Pacific Powerlifting Championships in Singapore, winning gold medals in squats, bench presses, deadlifts and overall categories.
The Sohail sisters are known for becoming a symbol of Pakistan’s resilience, breaking barriers and crushing stereotypes. Their stories are considered to be one of unwavering resolve and pursuit of excellence.
Twinkle Sohail said her sister had achieved a lot in powerlifting, but she wanted to compete in international weightlifting as well.
“She missed the trial for the national weightlifting team at the South Asian tournament in 2016 because she took the exam on the same day,” Twinkle said. “Since 2016, this has been her ultimately satisfying wish. It took her nine years to achieve what she really wanted.”
Sibir holds a bachelor’s degree in sports science and physical education from Punjab University and is currently a Ph.D.
Speaking to Christian Daily International, her father Sohail Javed Hokar said she is extremely proud of her daughter’s achievements.
“My daughters are not only proud of Pakistan, but they are also a source of pride for the Christian community in Pakistan,” he said. “They are pioneers of women’s powerlifting and weightlifting in Pakistan, and their efforts and achievements have inspired other girls to start the sport.”
However, Khokhar expressed disappointment at the lack of official support for her daughter, noting that the government’s perception is limited to social media praise.
“Our government officials offer congratulations on social media, but they have not sponsored participation in international events, nor have they rewarded the government,” he said. “Despite the fact that they represent Pakistan and won their own country’s medals, all their travel and other expenses are covered by private sponsors.”
The Sohail sister, also known as the “Power Girls,” attracted international attention in 2018 after setting a unique record at the ABP Championship in Dubai. “In the APF PowerLifting History, four sisters did not compete in the powerlifting event and all four winning medals,” the Asia PowerLifting Federation said in a statement at the time.
