By John Peps M. Dales
MSU-Marawi Intern
COMING from a recent gold medal victory in Singapore, weightlifting champion Samsodin Abdulrahman hopes the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) would support him as he prepares for another international competition in Poland in August.
Abdulrahman is currently eyeing to compete in the upcoming International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Masters Weightlifting Championship in Poland on August 18-23, 2023.
He is hoping to get support from the national government and Barmm for this journey towards an Olympic weightlifting victory.
“Mas matindi po itong parating na competition kasi world po ito,” Albdulrahman said.
He also shared that although financial support will be a huge help, Abdulrahman seeks for Barmm and the national government to establish his name as a national athlete of the Bangsamoro Region.
On June 3, Abdulrahman, a 40-year-old Meranaw weightlifting athlete, won the gold medal in Singapore Weightlifting International 2023 in the 81kg Bodyweight Category against Vietnam (Silver), and Singapore (Bronze).
“I thank Allah first because he gave me the strength and for the recognition as the first athlete from the Meranaw tribe to win a gold medal in the field of weightlifting. I hope this will inspire people to enjoy the sport of Olympic weightlifting,” Abdulrahman said.
Albeit been in the weightlifting event for a long time, Abdulrahman shared that his training is still no easy feat.
During his preparation, he underwent intensive training and workout which includes Olympic weightlifting, strength and conditioning, crossfit, fitness, mobility, and gymnastics.
“I train hard every day as if I'm in the competition in order to motivate myself and I’m challenging myself every day to achieve my goal,” he said.
Besides this, Abdulrahman revealed that it was his own initiative and decision to join the recently held weightlifting competition in Singapore, shouldering all monetary requirements needed to qualify for the said event.
The National Chairman of Masters Weightlifting Philippines, Richard Pep Agusto, helped him with his paper works and registration.
Born in Bubong, Saguiran, Lanao del Sur, Abdulrahman has been an athlete for almost 18 years. He is currently living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he works as a head coach, personal trainer, and rehabilitation specialist.
Abdulrahman thanks all the people who have supported him, especially his mother and co-athletes for the inspiration and encouragement throughout his career.
