He stood on the platform in Khiva, knee throbbing, body not at 100 per cent, competing in a sport where most of his rivals were using performance-enhancing drugs.

And still, Nooh Dastagir Butt won gold.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist added two more medals to his collection during a remarkable run in Uzbekistan.

First came gold at the Sixth International Pehalvon Mahmud Strongmen Games in Khiva at the Ichan-Kala Complex on June 14, where he defeated Yoo Useong of South Korea in the Jalaluddin Sword Challenge.

Holding a 14-kilogramme sword vertically for one minute and 49 seconds, Nooh clinched the gold. He then followed it up with another gold in the log-push water pool team event at the Farhod Challenge in Tashkent.

Competing in the log-push, the Pakistani strongman won four neck-to-neck battles, defeating athletes from the Czech Republic, Mongolia and Iran.

It was his third appearance at the competition.

“We won one medal in our first appearance and two in the second,” Nooh told Dawn in an exclusive interview.

“This time we were aiming for three medals but I had a knee injury because of which I couldn’t perform at my 100 per cent. Still, I gave my best and brought these medals home for Pakistan.”

The triumph was remarkable not just for the medals, but for the context in which they were won.

A different beast

Strongman competitions are a different beast entirely from the weightlifting that made him a household name. Athletes are asked to pull buses, carry massive weights and display the full spectrum of their strength. And crucially, Nooh revealed, the sport is plagued by doping.

“Most of the athletes I competed against were using steroids,” the 28-year-old said.

But Nooh, the clean athlete, refuses to follow suit. As an Olympic lifter, he remains subject to random testing by the International Testing Agency at any moment.

“I don’t use any steroids,” he stated firmly. “Despite this I was able to match others’ strength and was able to win two medals. That’s an achievement for me.”

Four years wasted

For the past four years, however, Nooh has been frozen out of the sport that defined him.

Pakistan’s weightlifting federation is currently suspended from all international activities due to severe administrative irregularities and anti-doping rule violations.

The suspension, stemming from systemic doping by federation officials and athletes in 2021, has left clean weightlifters like Nooh paying the price.

As per chairman interim committee on PWLF Zahid Iqbal’s recent letter to the Pakistan Olympic Association, a $30,000 fine remains unpaid while a lifetime ban has been imposed on former federation president Hafiz Imran Butt and coach Irfan Butt.

The fallout has been devastating for Pakistan’s weightlifters. They cannot compete in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, nor the Commonwealth Games next month.

“Some of the guys doped in international competition which unfortunately led to the suspension of the federation,” Nooh lamented. “So, I can’t compete in weightlifting competitions and I don’t see any point in training for something in which I can’t compete in.”

He paused, then added: “The issue wasted four years of my weightlifting career.”

In those four years, Nooh has been forced to pivot. He found success in powerlifting and now strongman events. But the weightlifter in him remains.

“If I had stayed in hope that the issue would be resolved, I would have missed out on the medals that I won in powerlifting and strongman,” he reflected.

“I think that was the right decision as in only a couple of years I am able to compete at the highest level and also won medals.”

The man behind the athlete

Throughout this difficult period, one man has stood by him.

Rizwan Aftab Ahmed, a registered dietitian and director of National Hospital, DHA, Lahore, has been Nooh’s lifeline. It was Rizwan who sponsored Nooh’s only weightlifting competition in four years — a trip to the United States.

“I was only able to compete in one event and that was also courtesy of Rd Rizwan who sponsored the whole trip,” the Gujranwala-born athlete revealed. “I unfortunately wasn’t able to win but Inshallah I will again take part in that competition and hopefully win this time.”

Beyond the sponsorship, Rizwan has provided Nooh with a monthly retainer and comprehensive healthcare for his entire family.

When Nooh’s father suffered a heart crisis, all procedures were done at the National Hospital. Rizwan also stepped in when Nooh’s mother fell ill and when his brother Hanzala sustained a wrist injury.

“There are two main characters in my life,“ Nooh once said. “My father and Rd Rizwan.”

Rizwan’s support is funded through a DRAP-registered multivitamin brand he founded.

He insists it is not a business but a labour of patriotism, with most revenue going back into sports and welfare. In doing so, he has provided what national institutions have failed to offer — consistent and holistic backing for athletes like Nooh.

A promise

Despite the roadblocks, Nooh’s dreams remain audacious.

Winning an Olympic gold for Pakistan is still the ultimate goal. But he knows the reality.

“Winning an Olympic gold isn’t a walk in the park,” he admitted. “You need three, four years of dedicated hard work to be in contention for an Olympic medal. But here no one is aware of what kind of injury I am dealing with and what kind of treatment I require. It’s only courtesy of Rd Rizwan that I am fortunate enough to receive proper treatment.”

The Commonwealth Games next month remain uncertain. Nooh mentioned the possibility of a wildcard entry, but there has been no communication.

“I cannot participate in the Commonwealth Games and also the Asian Games will be in September, in which we can participate but it again depends on whether the suspension remains or not,” he said. “So, at the moment I don’t see a way forward in weightlifting.”

But he refuses to let that be the end of his story.

Looking ahead, Nooh is planning to compete in the Arnold Classic Strongman competition in the United States next year. Beyond that, the 2029 World Games in Germany are firmly in his sights.

“I will go for a world record in squat and go for gold in bench press and deadlift in the World Games and hopefully bring the first-ever World Games gold for Pakistan,” he promised.

He added: “In the meantime, if I get an opportunity in weightlifting, I will try my level best there. I have always been a weightlifter — that’s what I dedicated myself to — so it’s my heart’s wish to win something significant in weightlifting.”

Concluding with a pledge that encapsulates his unwavering spirit, Nooh said: “My dream is to win a gold medal in a major tournament, be it in weightlifting or powerlifting. If I don’t get a chance in the 2028 LA Olympics then I will start preparations for the World Games and win this medal for my countrymen and fans.”

He paused, then made a promise that leaves no room for doubt.

“I just need my nation’s prayers and I will win a medal — if not in weightlifting, then in powerlifting; if not there, then in World Strongmen. But I will bring a major title home before I hang up my boots.”

The web version of this story has been updated with more details.