Pakistan’s weightlifting fraternity is in mourning following the passing of Muhammad Shafiq, a former South Asian Games gold medalist and national record holder, who died at the age of 54. A revered figure in the sport, Shafiq’s legacy spans decades-as a dominant athlete, a dedicated coach, and a father to the next generation of champions.
Shafiq’s career was defined by consistency and excellence. From 1990 to 2000, he reigned as Pakistan’s national champion, holding records in the 60kg category. His crowning achievement came at the 1991 South Asian Games in Colombo, where he clinched gold with a combined lift of 275kg (Snatch: 120kg, Jerk: 155kg)-a national benchmark at the time. He later added silver medals at the 1995 SAFF Games in Madras and an international tournament in Turkey, further cementing his status as one of Pakistan’s most decorated lifters. Beyond the medals, Shafiq’s influence endured through his coaching. As an Assistant Coach at LESCO WAPDA and a member of the A R T Weightlifting Club, he mentored countless athletes, including his sons Faisal Shafiq and Ahsan Shafiq, both gold medalists National Youth Games. His commitment to nurturing talent reflected a lifelong devotion to the sport.
His funeral, held in Lahore, drew a large gathering of former athletes, officials, and admirers. Among those in attendance were former internationals Zafar Ali, Qaiser Iftikhar, Aqeel Javed Butt, and Khalid Yousuf, Shahd Hameed,alongside WAPDA sports organizers and community members. The outpouring of condolences from across the sporting spectrum underscored the depth of his impact. Tributes poured in from leading figures in Pakistan’s weightlifting community. Jabran Bin Salman Butt, President of the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, called Shafiq “a pillar of strength and inspiration.” Olympian Talha Talib, Commonwealth champion Muhammad Nooh Butt, and veteran Irfan Islam alias Fani also expressed their grief, remembering him as a mentor and role model.
Muhammad Shafiq’s passing marks the end of an era-but his legacy lives on in the athletes he trained, the records he set, and the values he embodied. In a sport often overshadowed by others, he stood tall-lifting not just weights, but the hopes of a generation . following Condoled his death Former President Hafiz Imran Butt, Irfan Butt, Madam Nuzhat, Professor Muhammad Azhar, Ghulam Dastgir Butt, Abdul Sattar Rahi, Sohail Javed Butt, Sheikh Muhammad Anwar, Idrees Butt, Saira Bano, Chaudhry Abdul Hameed Pehalwan ,Azan Ali, Rashid Nadeem Butt, Olympian Talha Talib, Muhammad Islam Natiq, Nafees Ahmed, Muhammad Ilyas Butt, Javed Iqbal, Tania Malik, Asim Akbar, Maqsood Amjad Rathore, Bilal Amin, Aleem Iqbal Dar, Hafiz Jamil Akhtar, Kashif Barkat, Aamir Akbar, Muhammad Javed Asghar, Abdul Rehman Butt and others.