Key points
- Faizan Gul and Bilal Ahmed shine
- Farast Ali wins debut international gold
- Bodybuilding Federation funds athlete’s journey
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continued its strong showing at the 2025 Asian Bodybuilding Championship in Bangkok on Saturday, securing two more gold medals and bringing its total to four.
Faizan Gul triumphed in the 170 cm Sports Physique category, while Bilal Ahmed claimed gold in the 180 cm Sports Physique category.
Previously, Ijaz Khan won in the Masters category, and Farast Ali took gold in the 75 kg division. On Friday, 51-year-old Khan from Peshawar had also won gold in the 80 kg Masters event.
Sohail Anwar, Secretary of the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation, shared that Farast Ali, who works at a puncture repair shop in Multan, had made his international debut at the championship.
Passion for bodybuilding
In an interview with the media, Farast expressed his passion for bodybuilding and said, “Competing against bodybuilders from several countries, including India, I succeeded in winning the gold medal.”
Despite financial struggles, he managed to attend national trials in Islamabad. “I have a small puncture shop outside my home. I couldn’t afford to travel, but I made it to the trials and got selected. The federation then covered my trip to Bangkok,” he said.
Farast’s story has inspired many, highlighting determination, talent, and support from Pakistan’s bodybuilding community.
