ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A young Yazidi athlete from Shekhan, located in Iraq’s northeastern Nineveh province, made history on Friday after becoming the first woman in Iraq to lift 240 kilograms (kg) in a national weightlifting championship, earning first place in the 70 kg division.
"I participated in the championship in Sulaymaniyah province and, among 20 female participants, I secured first place by lifting 240 kilograms," Jilan Jaro told Rudaw’s Naif Ramadhan on Tuesday. "I became the first woman in the 70-kg category to achieve this result."
The achievement marks a new milestone in Jaro's athletic career, who stated she had previously lifted in the 230 kg and 235 kg divisions before successfully reaching the 240 kg mark during the competition.
Although she initially planned to attempt 230 kilograms at the championship, the competitive atmosphere encouraged her to push beyond her target.
Jaro said the support of her family and her captain has played a crucial role in her success. The athlete has been training for four years and now works as a gym trainer, helping other women pursue fitness and strength sports.
"I started working out four years ago. I am a trainer in a gym and I work with women. I want to participate in the championship in Baghdad," she said, adding that she also plans to compete in international events in Lebanon or the UAE later this year.
Jaro’s victory represents another step forward for women in strength sports in Iraq, particularly for athletes from minority communities seeking greater representation at the national and international levels.
Iraq has in recent years increased efforts to support women's participation in leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Youth and Sports held a coordination meeting for the Hunna Raedat (They Are Pioneers) program, an initiative aimed at empowering women and developing their skills in innovation, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
