• In Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, sisters Ines, Israa and Oshin Muhsin have inherited a hefty mantle from their late father, using it to take their country to weightlifting glory. All photos: AFP
    In Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, sisters Ines, Israa and Oshin Muhsin have inherited a hefty mantle from their late father, using it to take their country to weightlifting glory. All photos: AFP
  • An Iraqi Kurdish woman competes during a weightlifting championship in Arbil, in which 14 Arab countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, participated.
    An Iraqi Kurdish woman competes during a weightlifting championship in Arbil, in which 14 Arab countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, participated.
  • Women's sports have developed at a sluggish pace across much of conservative Iraq, which has struggled through decades of conflict.
    Women's sports have developed at a sluggish pace across much of conservative Iraq, which has struggled through decades of conflict.
  • The Kurdistan region was spared the brunt of the violence and destruction.
    The Kurdistan region was spared the brunt of the violence and destruction.
  • The Kurdistan region's infrastructure, facilities and government funding have paved the way for a boom in professional women's sports.
    The Kurdistan region's infrastructure, facilities and government funding have paved the way for a boom in professional women's sports.
  • A woman trains in Arbil.
    A woman trains in Arbil.
  • Woman in Iraq are slowly taking part in more and more sporting activities.
    Woman in Iraq are slowly taking part in more and more sporting activities.
  • Weightlifting is just one sport that is proving popular among women in the country.
    Weightlifting is just one sport that is proving popular among women in the country.
  • Going for glory: more and more women in Iraq are training to become professional athletes.
    Going for glory: more and more women in Iraq are training to become professional athletes.

MENA

Iraqi women weightlifters aim for glory - in pictures

The sport is gaining popularity in the country

The National

March 08, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

Green ambitions
  • Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
  • Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
  • Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
  • Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water 
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The biog

Name: Marie Byrne

Nationality: Irish

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption

Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston

Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

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If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

PROFILE

Name: Enhance Fitness 

Year started: 2018 

Based: UAE 

Employees: 200 

Amount raised: $3m 

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors 

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 395bhp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: from Dh321,200

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Updated: March 09, 2022, 5:42 AM
IraqWomen's sportsPhotography