LAHORE – Pakistan’s Commonwealth Games champion and national weightlifting icon, Nooh Dastagir Butt, is poised for a high-profile return to international weightlifting. He is set to compete at the VIRUS Weightlifting Finals and UMWF World Championships, scheduled to take place from December 3 to 6, 2025, at the Ocean Center Convention Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.
The three-time international strongman and powerlifting champion, famously dubbed the “Hulk of Pakistan” after his record-breaking performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, is eyeing nothing less than gold on his long-awaited comeback.
This marks Nooh’s first international weightlifting appearance in three years, following a prolonged dispute with the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF). During his absence from Olympic lifting, Nooh continued to bring laurels to Pakistan in powerlifting and strongman competitions, securing multiple gold medals in Uzbekistan, South Africa, and other international events.
With the federation dispute now resolved, thanks to the efforts of Madam Nuzhat and Hafiz Jibran Butt of the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, Nooh has officially been cleared to represent Pakistan once again and backed by Rd. Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, CEO of ACTIVIT and Director of National Hospital DHA Lahore, who has been sponsoring his training, nutrition, and medical support, Nooh says he is fully focused and mentally stronger than ever.
“I am grateful to Rd. Rizwan, for not only supporting my career but also taking care of my parents’ medical needs. Now, I have only one mission, which is to win international gold medals for Pakistan,” said an emotional Nooh.
He further revealed that he is currently training in Gujranwala under the supervision of his father, former weightlifter Ghulam Dastagir, maintaining a two-session daily regimen. “Whatever I am today is because of my father. His dream, and mine, is to see Pakistan’s flag raised at the world stage once again,” he added.
Nooh Butt’s mother expressed her pride and excitement over his preparations, saying, “Our entire home feels like a training ground. Nooh’s father doesn’t rest until he completes both of his daily training sessions. His dedication is unmatched, and as parents, our greatest joy will be to see him win more international medals for Pakistan.”
To sharpen his preparations, Rd. Rizwan has arranged a post-tournament training camp in the United States, where Nooh will train under international coaches and gain exposure to world-class facilities. This will further prepare him for the global stage. His journey is clearly mapped out, first the World Championships in Florida, followed by the Commonwealth Games, then the Asian Games, all leading toward one ultimate destination: global dominance in weightlifting.
Sharing his thoughts, Rd. Rizwan said, “I don’t just have a mission, I have a vision. I want Nooh to leave a legacy that inspires generations to come.” When asked about his expectations from Nooh, he responded with conviction: “I expect only one thing, victory. I want him to triumph on the grandest stages of the world, to hoist Pakistan’s flag high with pride. My dream is to see him rise steadily, winning gold after gold, until his name becomes synonymous with excellence in global sport.”
