Damascus, Sept. 2 (SANA) Mohamed Safwamar began powerlifting at the age of 12. Seven years later, the Syrian athlete has built a career spanning national, Arab and regional titles, capped by four gold medals at the World Championships in South Africa.
The 19-year-old’s rise has been marked by steady progress through successive competitions, with each event providing an opportunity to improve his performance and lifting totals.
“I started powerlifting when I was 12 and have worked over the past several years to improve my performance and establish a strong presence in competitions,” Safwamar told SANA.
His early success came at home, where he won the Syrian championship and claimed the Syrian Champion of Champions title in the men’s category three times.
Safwamar then moved onto the regional stage, winning the Arab Championship, the West Asian Championship and the West Asian Champion of Champions title.
His career reached a new milestone at the World Championships in South Africa, where he competed in the over-120 kg category and swept four gold medals in the squat, bench press, deadlift and overall total.
“It is an achievement I am proud of, and it gives me additional motivation to continue training and improving my performance,” he said.
Safwamar has been ranked Syria’s top powerlifter by the Syrian Arab Powerlifting Federation and was crowned a world champion in 2026.
Despite his growing medal collection, Safwamar is already looking to the next stage of his career. He aims to break world records and win the world championship title in the men’s category, goals he says will require sustained training as well as greater support and sponsorship.
The Syrian Powerlifting Federation is looking to Safwamar as one of its leading prospects for further success on the international stage.
R.A/ABD
