17 July,2011 07:56 AM IST | | AFP
Kulsoom Abdullah didn't win, but she notched a victory for diversity at the US weightlifting championships on Friday as she competed in clothing that covered her legs, arms and head.
Abdullah was cleared to compete in clothing that met the standards for modesty of her Muslim faith after the International Weightlifting Federation ruled a fortnight ago that competitors could wear a full-body "unitard" under the customary weightlifting uniform.
IWF rules previously stated that a weightlifter's knees and elbows had to be visible so officials could confirm a lift was properly executed.
Abdullah, a 35-year-old from Atlanta, competed wearing a black hijab and a black short-sleeved shirt with a tan, long-sleeved undershirt and long black socks.
She cleared a snatch of 41 kgs and a clean and jerk of 57 kgs to finish fifth out of six in the 48 kgsu00a0 women's category.
