Peshawar resident Naseem Khan wins consecutive provincial gold medals after heart surgery
PESHAWAR:
Naseem Khan, a 71-year-old retired banker has emerged as an inspiring example of healthy ageing by winning back-to-back provincial gold medals in the deadlift category after recovering from open-heart surgery.
Originally from Kohat and now settled in Peshawar, Naseem retired as a bank manager in 2016. Soon after retirement, he underwent open-heart surgery and was advised by doctors to lose weight through light exercise. Weighing 108 kilograms with a 53-inch waist at the time, he joined a bodybuilding gym at the Peshawar Sports Complex in March 2022.
Initially lifting just 50 kilograms, Khan gradually progressed to deadlifting 120 kilograms under the guidance of his coach and a carefully planned diet. Today, he weighs 82 kilograms, with his waist reduced to 40 inches, and says he feels healthier and younger than ever.
Naseem won gold medals in the under 50 master deadlift category at the provincial championships in both 2024 and 2025. He now spends nearly three hours daily at the gym after dropping his wife at a nearby park for her regular walk.
A father of five, Naseem Khan encourages friends and fellow senior citizens to adopt regular exercise and strength training. Reflecting on his journey, he said his only regret is not starting fitness earlier, adding that many Pakistanis neglect exercise and fail to prioritise their health until it is too late.