A KEIGHLEY man was watched by 3,000 supporters when he won a weightlifting competition in Pakistan for the second year running.

Aqeeb Khalifa Jamati won the Mr Pakistan bench press contest by lifting 240kg last year while staying at his grandparents’home in Mirpur.

He returned to the town of Kharak last December to spend another six months training at the same fitness centre, Gym Box, in preparation for a new round of competitions.

Aqeeb, 24, lifted 260 kg at the Mr Pakistan tournament and on April 9 will take part in a bigger competition.

He switched to weightlifting last year after being forced to give a professional football career with Boston United due to a broken leg.

Aqeeb’s proud mother Shazia Iqbal, who lives in Keighley, said her son had triumphed a dark time in his life in the aftermath of his soccer injury.

She said: “Over 3,000 people thousand came to support Aqeeb, mainly friends and family from Keighley and Bradford , who went to show support and show their love.

Aqeeb said: “This victory is dedicated to my late Uncle Shak – I hope he is looking down at me and that I’m making him proud by fulfilling his dreams.”