Tajikistan’s national powerlifting team delivered a stunning performance at the Asian Powerlifting Championship, winning five gold medals and emerging as one of the top teams in the competition, held under the banner of the Asian Powerlifting Federation.
Of the seven athletes representing Tajikistan, five stood atop the podium, showcasing the nation’s rising strength in the sport. According to the team, the gold medalists were:
- Umed Istamov (82.5 kg)
- Farrukh Shokirov (90 kg)
- Parviz Nazarov (100 kg)
- Davlatmand Odinayev (110 kg)
- Qobiljon Haytaliyev (100 kg, veterans category)
Each victory was the result of months of intensive preparation, grueling training camps, and relentless work on form and technique. Particularly notable was the performance of Qobiljon Haytaliyev, who triumphed in the veterans' category against older and more experienced athletes from countries with long-established strength sports traditions.
The championship gathered top lifters from across Asia, including powerhouses like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, South Korea, and Iran.
Officials from Tajikistan’s national powerlifting federation emphasized that such success is no coincidence. In recent years, they have intensified efforts to develop strength sports through coaching certifications and athlete development programs.
Understanding powerlifting
Powerlifting is a strength-based sport in which athletes compete in three disciplines:
- Squat: Measures lower body and core strength;
- Bench Press: Tests upper body strength—chest, triceps, and shoulders;
- Deadlift: Assesses posterior chain strength, especially the back and hamstrings.
The winner is determined by the highest combined total from all three lifts.
Powerlifting is divided into several categories:
- Classic (Raw): No supportive gear allowed, aside from knee and wrist wraps;
- Equipped: Athletes wear specialized suits and bench shirts that provide additional support;
- Repetition-Based (Endurance): Athletes perform as many reps as possible with a set weight, focusing on endurance.
Each lift is judged by a panel of three referees. A lift is considered successful if at least two judges approve it. Competitions are held across different weight classes, and divided by gender and age.
