Neelofar Sherazi hopes Pakistani government will support her to achieve international recognition

Zubair Qureshi

Neelofar Sherazi, from Khyber Pakhtunk-hwa (KP) Battagram district, made history once again on Saturday, breaking his previous record of 1,000 broken bricks.

This time, she managed to break 1160 bricks in less than 50 minutes, which is not only a personal achievement but also a world record.

Earlier in February this year, Neelofar made history breaking 1,000 bricks in just 27 minutes.

It was a rare pleasure and a privilege to see Neelofar in her traditional tribal dress, white dress and scarf breaking bricks one after another with a flick of the right hand.

I have waited for this moment all my life, she said, because there is nothing impossible for you if you are determined to do something, she said.

Neelofar reached the milestone to the cheers of friends, family and godfather. Fit-Wit, a local fitness center, announced PKR 50,000 for its singular achievement.

Last time around, she sponsored the event as well, but this time Neelofar saved money from her own salary to buy the bricks and break them (she is an online teacher).

She had to spend Rs 16,800 on 1,200 bricks, pay Rs 2,000 rent for the cement blocks and Rs 11,000 for workers and transport. That way it cost him Rs 30,000 in total.

Large numbers of park visitors also gathered at the site and burst into applause as Neelofar passed the 1,000 brick mark.

We will send the full video footage of his performance to the International Federation so that his name can be registered in the world record category, said Imtiaz Ahmed of Fit-Wit.

This is the first time that a female martial arts champion has reached this number in less than half an hour.

With each stroke of his right hand, the bricks fell, splitting in four because there was a long row of two bricks arranged in two parallel rows of cement blocks.

As the numbers grew, his supporters and family members cheered loudly to cheer him up.

With the 550th stroke of his right hand, the 1,100 bricks collapsed and the whole stadium echoed with thunderous applause.

It’s a big time for Pakistan, said Imtiaz Ahmed, CEO of Fit-Wit. Also last time, Fit-Wit announced Rs50,000 for Neelofar. We recorded the entire event and will send it to the International Breaking Federation so they can include it as a world record in the breakout category, added Imtiaz.

No one in the world has broken even 1,000 bricks in a row, he added. By making 1160 bricks in less than half an hour, Neelofar Sherazi has set an example for girls who hesitate to follow their passion and are afraid in this macho society.

In a media interview, Neelofar, 32, said she had not been approached by any government official. However, she hoped that her talent would be recognized nationally and internationally.

I want my talent to be recognized nationally and internationally with government support, she said.

Sherazi currently lives in Islamabad. She holds a master’s degree in chemistry and works as an online teacher. However, what makes her different from the rest is her passion for learning the art of breaking bricks. She can break bricks with a quick swipe of her right hand.

She started formal training in 2018. Every day, Nee-lofar spends around two hours practicing this art, which is less common in Pakistan, especially among women.

About Pakistani women, Neelofar said that they have a great talent to make their mark in the world, we only have to support and recognize their talent.

Neelofar spends Sundays in the kitchen preparing various dishes, helping his mother. She also volunteers and works for social services and community development.