Meet Saima Ubaid, Kashmir’s first woman power-lifter
Securing a gold medal in a power-lifting competition in Srinagar, Saima Ubaid has become the first woman from Kashmir to chose a career as a power-lifter.
Saima said her husband Ubaiz Hafiz, who is also a power-lifter, trained her and helped her win the medal.
“I suffered from excessive weight gain when I joined the gym. My husband helped me lose excess weight. He trained me and lead the path to the carrier as a weight-lifter,” she said.
A power-lifting competition for women was organised for the first time by Jammu and Kashmir Powerlifting Association.
In December 2020, the 4th Kashmir Powerlifting, Benchpress, and Deadlift Championship was organized. Saima secured a gold medal by lifting a weight of 255 kgs.
She said that she wanted to be an example for the women who cut their own wings by societal pressure.
“Even after marriage and a kid, I continued the sport as I wanted to show women that they can achieve whatever they dream for. No societal pressure will stop you from achieving your dreams if you are dedicated,” Saima said.
Her husband said that he only guided the path for her.
“I saw she had natural strength to lift weights that is essential for powerlifting. Then I proposed the idea of the sport and she agreed. We then started preparing for the competition and by God’s grace she achieved a great milestone,” Ubaid said.
Saima has done her Bachelors in Home Science from Government College for Women, Srinagar. She is now working as a trainer for females and simultaneously work-out for herself. (Agency)
