Medals galore for Pakistan's kickboxing team in Bangkok

Despite little support, captain Inamul Haq-led side won five gold

KARACHI: A kickboxing team from Pakistan had a medal-laden experience at the World Martial Arts Summit, which was held between December 21 and 28 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Comprised of eight fighters and five officials, the Pakistani contingent clinched five gold medals at an event where athletes from 12 countries participated .

Inamul Haq, the captain of the Pakistan team, won a gold medal in the -80kg category, defeating Turkish and Bangladeshi opponents en route to the final against an American opponent, whom he subdued in just two of the scheduled three-minute three rounds.

"I have been practising martials arts for 16 years, but this was the first time I fought internationally," Inam told The Express Tribune. "It was a self-financed event and every fighter paid for themselves; we had no governmental support whatsoever, yet we went there and made our country proud. We would like to have more such opportunities."

The World Martial Arts Summit was the brainchild of Grand Master Zulfi Ahmed, who is the founder of Bushi Ban International.

Meanwhile, Bushi Ban Coordinator Shoaib Mujahid Butt shored things up in Pakistan to make the event happen.