Tokyo Olympics, as he lifted a total of 320 kilograms on Sunday. Pakistani weightlifter Talha Talib fell just two kilograms short of history in 2020. Talha was representing Pakistan in weightlifting's 67-kilogram event at the pandemic-postponed Games. He lifted 150 kilograms in the snatch and 10 kilograms in clean and jerk to accumulate 320 kilograms.
The fourth-placed participant from South Korea lifted 321 kilograms, while the Marko Zanni of Italy bagged the bronze with a total lift of 322 kilograms, 145 kilograms in the snatch, and 177 kilograms in clean and jerk. Colombian Luis Javier Mosquera won silver with a total lifted weight of 331 kilograms, while Chinese Chen Lijun won gold with a total lifting weight of 332 kilograms.
Talha had told the "Express Tribune" that he wanted to win a medal on his Olympic debut. "I am setting my mind to win; whether I am lifting this weight at the Olympics or in an empty room during quarantine, I know I need to be perfect. I am not taking any pressure", Talha Talib explained as he left for Tokyo on July 21, 2020.
While weightlifter Talha Talib finished fifth at Tokyo 2020 Olympics in a 67kg weightlifting competition, his efforts saw him receive praise from the nation.
The 21-year-old was ranked at the top before being surpassed by athletes from China, Colombia, and Italy in the final attempts.
Talha, the first weightlifter from Pakistan in44 years, displayed his mettle despite not having a coach in the competition.
Talha has been a wonder kid throughout his journey to the Olympics as the youngster had to face multiple obstacles that would have broken any ordinary soul. He first missed out on an Asian Junior Championship in Korea. The South Asian Games weightlifting event was stripped from the Olympics qualification event. Talha had to miss international competitions due to the lack of resources.
He won the gold medals at the 2020 International Solidarity weightlifting Championship aggregation 304kg, and that was his last international event before the pandemic hit the world.
In June, the Pakistan Olympic Association announced that the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist would represent the country in an invitational place, which is often given to athletes who have shown improvement in their category and have been deserving of a chance.
Talha did his training at his hometown in Gujranwala was nothing short of a labor of love and miracle. He was training at the vicinity of a local school where he, his friends, and his family made a make-shift gym. He said he spent at least six hours in training each day without taking much rest.
His training showed greatly with his comeback at the International stage in April as he lifted 315kg, also taking the bronze medal for the best snitch of 148kg in Taskent, Uzbekistan at the Asian Championship.
Even after taking the medal, Talha felt he should have won the Championship more convincingly; he returned home.
Talha has been preparing for the Olympics without standard equipment, but he does not give up on his dream of an Olympic medal.
Talha saw the toughest competition from the Chinese weightlifters at the Asian Championship, but he sees the four-time world champion Chen Lijun as his hero too.
"I see Lijun, and he seems to be a very inspiring athlete to me. He is definitely one of my heroes. He is perfect on social media, too, giving tips, being a thorough champion. I really respect him and feel honored to be competing with him," Talha had said.
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