Waseem, who won a gold medal in the Combat Games that were held in China in August, looked in good touch as he outclassed Chaminda Tennakoon 11-5 to reach the quarterfinals of the 49-kilogramme category.
The 21-year old fly-weight obtained most of his points through smart moves which gave him the edge despite being a bit defensive.
Waseem was deemed Pakistan’s main medal hope by the team’s Cuban coach Francesco Hernandez Roldan but the boxer refused to celebrate his win just yet.
“It’s still very far, I have to win three more bouts in order to win the gold medal which is my main target,” Waseem told The Express Tribune before adding that he was satisfied with his performance. “I’m happy with my performance as I did not rush and went with the flow.”
Younger Khan edges closer to a medal
Meanwhile, teenager Haroon Khan continued his aggressive show to beat Malaysia’s Gilbert Bactora while making his way into the last-eight of the 52-kg category. Haroon, the England-based fly-weight pugilist, dominated the match despite tough resistance by the Malaysian to seal the 8-5 win.
Meanwhile, Qadir Khan, another Pakistan boxer, was knocked out of the 56-kg category pre-quarterfinals by local opponent Akhil Kumar. The Indian boxer enjoyed the home advantage and proved too good for Qadir, winning the bout with one-sided score of 7-0.
In today’s bouts, Pakistan’s Nisar Khan and Mir Waiz will be seen in action in the 75-kg and 91-plus category respectively.
Shooters off the mark again
Pakistan shooters displayed another poor show at the CWG as they failed in the double trap and team pistol events. The Pakistan pair comprising Kaleemullah and Irshad Ali finished seventh in the team pistol event after accumulating 1,112 points out of 1,200. India claimed gold in the event while England won silver.
Amir Iqbal, representing the country in double trap, was met with a similar fate by finishing seventh after obtaining 126 out of 150 points. England and India won gold and silver in this event as well.
Medal drought in paralympics
Pakistan athletes Raheel Anwar and Asghar Ali took part in the 100-metre paralympics event where they failed to reach the podium. Anwar who clocked 12.68 seconds ended sixth in the race which was won by a South African athlete who clocked 11:31 seconds. Ali, on the other hand, finished last in 12.79 seconds.
Pakistan’s Nasir Butt will feature in power-lifting, another discipline at the paralympics event, on October 12.
Australia cyclist Bobridge
“It’s the best feeling in the world to win alongside your best mates. Australia have shown in every sport at this Games that we’re picking up, towards the Olympics.”
Pakistan boxer Waseem
“I was attacking initially, but when my opponent [Chaminda Tennakoon] charged at me, I went on the defensive. I’m feeling good after my win here.”
Tennis top-seed Devvarman
“I’ve never played Matt Ebden before, but he’s a very good player. I’ll have to play well and can’t give him too many chances. The crowd’s been a big part here.”
India wrestler Geeta
“Since I’m the first female gold medallist from India [in wrestling], it’s special to me. I had two chapattis and vegetables. Maybe this provided me with the energy to win gold.”
Greenshirts calm ahead of tough Aussie clash
Pakistan hockey team has the potential to upset World Champions Australia in its third Group A match that takes place tomorrow, according to manager Khawaja Junaid. A win would almost certainly take Pakistan into the last-four of the competition.
“We won convincingly against Scotland and Malaysia which are not ordinary teams,” Junaid told The Express Tribune from New Delhi.
“No doubt Australia’s the world champions and it would be tough going against them but the task is not impossible.
“All the players are in good form and above all they are playing like a unit. Hopefully we would continue the winning streak at the Commonwealth Games.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2010.
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