Pakistan’s premier weightlifter Talha Talib is set to return to national duty after serving a three-year ban due to doping reasons. The ban, which was imposed on the talented weightlifter, comes to an end today, paving the way for Talib’s highly anticipated comeback.
It’s a big news for the nation which needs such a gutsy athlete at a stage when weightlifting has been hit hard by various disputes, the state-federation conflict and doping issues as several other mainstream weightlifters are also serving lengthy bans.
Talha’s ban had started on January 25, 2022. He had been banned by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for using 19-norandrosterone, the prohibited steroids. But the weightlifter served the ban patiently.
Talha shot to fame when he finished fifth in the Tokyo Olympics in 67 kilogram weight category despite the fact that he had featured in the world’s major event on the universality place.
The Gujranwala-based weightlifter is known for his fine snatch and he is expected to return with a style in coming events.
He will now feature not in the 67kg anymore but in the 79 kilogram and it remains to be seen how he will deliver. But he is truly a prospect for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and may be the lone hope if the rift between Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) and experienced weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt is not resolved.
Nooh has already joined Pakistan Powerlifting Federation and has been featuring in international powerlifting events also. Although he is interested to return to the PWF’s fold keeping in view his desire to win a medal for the nation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but the PWF is seen reluctant to own him.
The PWF itself is not recognized by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and has been suspended. But it is recognized by the international weightlifting governing body (IWF) and so can field athletes in international events.
New beginning
This correspondent has learnt that Talha is extremely busy these days as his department WAPDA and other sectors have asked him to submit some documents as he will now make a new beginning in weightlifting.
His father Mohammad Islam Natiq told Point that eventually Talha has completed his three-year sanctions.
“It was a period which we spent with too much patience,” Islam told this correspondent.
“But it’s a fact that bad time ends one day and it has ended and now inshaAllah Talha will be seen soon in action,” said Islam, who is also Talha’s coach.
Talha trains at his own gym in Gujranwala under his father and it is the big plus in his career.
“He has never left training during entire three years cycle and he is now even better than before,” Islam said.
“As IWF have changed weight classes and Talha will feature in the 79kg now and it would not be that much issue and I hope he will pull off good progress in the same class as well,” Islam said.
Talha is expected to return to the competitive zone in the National Games which will be held in Karachi in May.
Besides this event from May 9-15 China will host Asian Championship. Riyadh will host Islamic Games from August 6-15 while India will host the Commonwealth Senior, Junior and Youth Championship from August 24-30.
From October 3-12 the World Championship will be held in Norway while in November Tehran will host the 6th International Men’s Al-Fajr Cup.
