“I'm really happy that I got this experience and that there's a lot of support, and I hope that it could encourage other women and people, whether it's weightlifting or another sport, to try competition because it's fun to meet people.” -Photo by AP

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa: Kulsoom Abdullah didn't win, but she notched a victory for diversity at the US weightlifting championships on Friday as she competed in clothing that covered her legs, arms and head.

Abdullah was cleared to compete in clothing that met the standards for modesty of her Muslim faith after the International Weightlifting Federation ruled a fortnight ago that competitors could wear a full-body “unitard” under the customary weightlifting uniform.

IWF rules previously stated that a weightlifter's knees and elbows had to be visible so officials could confirm a lift was properly executed.

Abdullah, a 35-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, competed before a small crowd of fellow lifters, their families and friends.

Wearing a black hijab and a black short-sleeved shirt with a tan, long-sleeved undershirt and long black socks, Abdullah cleared a snatch of 41 kilograms and a clean and jerk of 57 kilograms.

Abdullah finished fifth out of six in her 48 kilogram senior women's weight class.

“I'm really happy that I got this experience and that there's a lot of support, and I hope that it could encourage other women and people, whether it's weightlifting or another sport, to try competition because it's fun to meet people,” Abdullah said.

“I think it helps when people get along.”

Opinion

Editorial

Trumpian purge
Updated 27 Jan, 2025

Trumpian purge

For Trump and his MAGA support base, these moves are necessary to preserve what they view as the American way of life.
World Bank’s view
27 Jan, 2025

World Bank’s view

PAKISTAN is at a critical point. Inconsistent and poor economic policies of the past have had an adverse impact on...
Learning losses
27 Jan, 2025

Learning losses

WHEN thermometers in Lahore hit 48°C last May, it led to closures across the region. From Dhaka to Manila, some ...
Gag orders
Updated 26 Jan, 2025

Gag orders

Coercive policies must be abandoned for constitutional freedoms to be inviolable.
Murder on the seas
26 Jan, 2025

Murder on the seas

IT is time Pakistan asserted itself more forcefully and played a bigger role in busting international human...
A free lunch
26 Jan, 2025

A free lunch

THE federal government appears to have gone back on its word to rescind the facility of free electricity for both...