Several times a week Afghanistan’s female powerlifting team squeezes into a small carpeted room in Kabul where they strip off their body-covering abayas and pump iron. Parhiz began powerlifting several years ago to help lose weight -- she used to weigh 120kg and hid her ample body under a burqa. (AFP photo)The 52-year-old former soldier considers it his duty to encourage and protect his female charges. (AFP photo)Ahmadi, 25, is the most successful member of the women’s team, winning four gold medals at competitions in Uzbekistan, India and Kazakhstan, Shahpor says proudly. Despite the taboos around female sport, the women claim they enjoy the backing, even encouragement, of their fathers or husbands to do powerlifting.

Source: New Strait Times March 07, 2018 07:41 UTC