South Asian Games: Rukhsana, Sofia make Pakistan proud
Duo bag first international medals in women’s boxing
PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Rukhsana Parveen and Sofia Jawed became the first Pakistani women to bag international medals in boxing at the 2016 South Asian Games in Shillong on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Rukhsana, who is a part of Pakistan’s first ever boxing team sent to an international event, lost her semi-final fight 10-9 to a Sri Lankan pugilist in the 60kg competition, but the Multan-based sportswoman believes she gave her all in the event.
Mary Kom inspires Pakistani female trio to reach 2016 SAG
“Even though it is a bronze medal, it means a lot because we made it this far,” Rukhsana told The Express Tribune. “I lost my bout by just a point after a very close affair, so I still feel like a winner because I know I did my best.”
Like Rukhsana, her teammate Sofia also claimed bronze after losing 10-9 to India’s Pooja Rani in the 75kg semi-final. And while the two medallists would likely garner all the acclaim back home, Rukhsana feels everyone on the team deserves attention.
Meanwhile, their male counterparts — Mohibullah Khan, Tanveer Ahmed, Ali Ahmed and Syed Asif — all reached the finals, confirming at least four silver medals for Pakistan in men’s event.
Mohibullah outclassed Afghanistan’s Ferhed Sharifi 3-0 in the 49kg event, while national champion Tanveer crushed Bhutan’s Tashi Norbu 3-0 in the 75kg semi-final.
South Asian Games: Pakistan beat India 1-0 in hockey final
Ahmed, on the other hand overcame Sri Lanka’s Sanjeeva Gayan 2-1 in the 60kg event, whereas Asif booked his place in the 52kg final with a win over Isan Sankeewa Bandra.
Other results
Elsewhere, Pakistan’s women’s handball team lost 44-23 in the semi-final to India — they will now contest the third-place match on Monday. The Kabaddi team, meanwhile, fared better, cruising into the final with a 22-11 win over Sri Lanka.
The star of the day, however, undoubtedly was Asim Ijaz, who won a gold medal in the 87kg taekwondo event by defeating his Indian rival.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2016.
Rukhsana Parveen and Sofia Jawed became the first Pakistani women to bag international medals in boxing at the 2016 South Asian Games in Shillong on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Rukhsana, who is a part of Pakistan’s first ever boxing team sent to an international event, lost her semi-final fight 10-9 to a Sri Lankan pugilist in the 60kg competition, but the Multan-based sportswoman believes she gave her all in the event.
Mary Kom inspires Pakistani female trio to reach 2016 SAG
“Even though it is a bronze medal, it means a lot because we made it this far,” Rukhsana told The Express Tribune. “I lost my bout by just a point after a very close affair, so I still feel like a winner because I know I did my best.”
Like Rukhsana, her teammate Sofia also claimed bronze after losing 10-9 to India’s Pooja Rani in the 75kg semi-final. And while the two medallists would likely garner all the acclaim back home, Rukhsana feels everyone on the team deserves attention.
Meanwhile, their male counterparts — Mohibullah Khan, Tanveer Ahmed, Ali Ahmed and Syed Asif — all reached the finals, confirming at least four silver medals for Pakistan in men’s event.
Mohibullah outclassed Afghanistan’s Ferhed Sharifi 3-0 in the 49kg event, while national champion Tanveer crushed Bhutan’s Tashi Norbu 3-0 in the 75kg semi-final.
South Asian Games: Pakistan beat India 1-0 in hockey final
Ahmed, on the other hand overcame Sri Lanka’s Sanjeeva Gayan 2-1 in the 60kg event, whereas Asif booked his place in the 52kg final with a win over Isan Sankeewa Bandra.
Other results
Elsewhere, Pakistan’s women’s handball team lost 44-23 in the semi-final to India — they will now contest the third-place match on Monday. The Kabaddi team, meanwhile, fared better, cruising into the final with a 22-11 win over Sri Lanka.
The star of the day, however, undoubtedly was Asim Ijaz, who won a gold medal in the 87kg taekwondo event by defeating his Indian rival.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2016.