Powerlifter turned weightlifter Sybil Sohail has created history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to win a gold medal at the Asian Weightlifting Masters Championship in Doha, Qatar. The victory marks a milestone not just in her career but also for Pakistan’s representation in international weightlifting.
- Sybil Sohail wins gold in 59kg category at Asian Weightlifting Masters Championship on her international weightlifting debut.
- She lifted a total of 95kg — 40kg in snatch and 55kg in clean & jerk fulfilling a 9-year-long dream after missing 2016 national trials.
- Sybil and her sisters, from Lahore’s Christian community, continue to inspire minority and female athletes in Pakistan through their achievements.
Breaking Barriers on Her International Debut
The 31-year-old athlete, previously a Commonwealth Powerlifting Champion, competed in the 59kg category, lifting 95kg, 40kg in snatch and a stronger 55kg in clean & jerk, to clinch gold on May 30.
“This was always my dream — to make my country and my family proud. We have sacrificed a lot for this sport. I want to make sure all of that effort and dedication pays off,” said Sybil, speaking from Doha.
From Powerlifting Glory to Weightlifting Debut
While Sybil had already earned fame as a powerlifter, this was her first-ever international appearance in weightlifting. Her transition was inspired by her younger sister Twinkle Sohail, who also serves as her coach during training sessions at Punjab University grounds in Lahore under Rashed Malik.
“Sybil has won so many accolades for Pakistan in powerlifting, but she had never competed in weightlifting. This debut was her dream because she was always charmed with weightlifting,” said Twinkle. “This is huge — she has won gold on her debut.”
A Nine-Year Journey Fueled by Setbacks
Sybil’s gold is all the more remarkable given her long wait to reach this stage. In 2016, she missed the national weightlifting team trials for the South Asian Games due to an academic exam clash.
“She had a rough experience in 2016. If she had competed, she would’ve secured her spot. It took her nine years to achieve what she really wanted,” Twinkle shared.
For Twinkle, the family’s shared journey has been shaped by similar experiences:
“I started sports in my family. In 2019, when I was selected to compete in Nepal, I missed out because the government could only fund five players. I was sixth on the list despite having a silver medal. So we fuel our ambition with these disappointments. They drive us to achieve bigger goals.”
A Family of Champions and Role Models
Sybil is the eldest among the renowned Sohail sisters Twinkle, Veronika, and Mariam who collectively won 15 gold medals at last year’s Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, with Sybil alone securing six.
The family, part of Lahore’s Christian community, has become a symbol of resilience and minority representation in Pakistan’s sports industry where such examples are still rare.
A Growing Sport Among Pakistani Women
Sybil’s victory is also part of a bigger trend: weightlifting and strength sports are slowly but surely becoming more popular among Pakistani women.
More young women are now taking up powerlifting, weightlifting, and strength training at gyms across cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
Social media has also played a role as more athletes like Sybil and her sisters share their stories online, they’re inspiring other girls to give the sport a try.
“It’s a misconception that weightlifting is bad for women, that it disrupts hormones or causes complications with having children. In fact, it helps us build strength. We need weight training to stay healthy,” Sybil explained.
“There are many Pakistani powerlifters and weightlifters who were active in the sport and later became mothers. It’s perfectly healthy.”
Looking Ahead
With her gold medal debut now secured, Sybil’s journey continues to inspire not only female athletes but also minority groups in Pakistan.
Her success, built on years of dedication and overcoming setbacks, serves as a powerful reminder that no dream is too far and no barrier too high for those determined to lift themselves and others along the way.