SOCIETY — May 11, 2026
Afghan Athletes Win Six Medals at Powerlifting World Cup in Belarus
Afghan powerlifters won four gold, one silver, and one bronze medal at the Powerlifting 2026 World Cup Series in Belarus.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Amu TV — corroborated by Pajhwok and Hurriyat — 2 min read
Afghan powerlifters won six medals, including four gold, at the Powerlifting 2026 World Cup Series held in Belarus. The competition took place from May 6 to May 10.
Mawlawi Ahmadullah Wathiq, the General Director of Olympic Physical Education and Sports, announced the results via the social media platform X. He stated that the Afghan delegation, which consisted of six athletes and one coach, competed against participants from ten different countries.
The gold medals were won by Fawad Shirinsukhan, Jaber Shirinsukhan, Noor Ahmad Sakhizada, and Mirwais Rafizada. Ruhullah Khairandish secured a silver medal, while Hamidullah Hakimi earned a bronze medal.
While the results highlight the return of Afghan athletes to international competition, reports also noted the ongoing ban on women's sports within Afghanistan.
Read the original reporting at Amu TV →
Reliability assessment
Three independent sources corroborate the core event and the specific list of medalists. Hurriyat provides direct attribution to a named official (Mawlawi Ahmadullah Wathiq), which makes the report of the statement reliable.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Amu TV: "deprived of participating" and "banned from practicing all sports" frame the administrative and social restrictions as a loss of rights/opportunity.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Afghan athletes won 4 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medals in Belarus.
- The names of the six medalists are consistent across all sources.
- Six Afghan athletes participated in the event.
- The results were attributed to the country's Olympic and Physical Education and Sports administration.
Filed by 3 outlets
Amu TV
Originating
Framed
Framed
Pajhwok
Reported straight
Reported straight
Hurriyat
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Society — Belarus, Powerlifting, Afghanistan National Team, Mawlawi Ahmadullah Wathiq
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