This photograph taken on 11 October 2010 shows Ghulam Qadir (R), and Zakkia Begum parents of Pakistani wrestler Azhar Hussain, who won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth games in Delhi, as they dsiplay their sons medals outside their home in Muzaffargarh in south of Pakistans Punjab province. The flood-hit family of Pakistani wrestler Azhar Hussain said Wednesday they hoped his two Commonwealth Games medals would draw attention to victims of the countrys worst natural disaster. -Photo by AFP

The 26-year-old has dedicated his medals -- Pakistan's first gold of the Games plus a silver -- to those affected by the floods, who number 21 million.

“Azhar's preparation was interrupted by the flood devastation, but he showed great courage and brought good news for the country, especially for people like us who were badly affected,” his father Ghulam Qadir told AFP.

“For the last two months no one gave us any money, so I hope that my son's win has diverted people's attention to the plight of the flood victims,” said Qadir, a farmer.

Azhar sparked national joy when he won a gold medal in the freestyle 55kg wrestling on Sunday, Pakistan's first wrestling gold in 40 years. He also won a silver medal in the 55kg category of the Greco-Roman wrestling last week.

Azhar's family were displaced from the town of Muzaffargarh in Punjab province by Pakistan's catastrophic flooding, which began in June.

When Azhar beat Nigeria's Ebikewenimo Welson on Sunday his family had just moved back to their home after the flood waters subsided.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have led the messages of congratulation, while federal sports minister Ijaz Jakhrani has announced Azhar will be given one million rupees (12,000 dollars).

“I am very happy that my son has brought laurels to the country,” said Azhar's mother Zakia, proudly displaying her son's medals won in previous events in Canada, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Uganda.

Azhar, who serves in the Pakistani army, first caught the eye of officials in 2008, who prepared him for the Commonwealth Games.

“Wrestling at the international level is different from what we have in Pakistan, and I was the first in my family who wrestled on a mat,” Azhar told AFP from Agra after visiting the Taj Mahal.

“I hope Delhi marks my arrival at the international level and I hope to bring more good news for the country and for my family,” said Azhar.

“Adversity brings out the best in us and I am proud that I have achieved that. My medals shine brighter than the great Taj Mahal because they have been won for my country, for my people.”—AFP