Youth Olympics: Wrestler Inayat opens Pakistan’s account with bronze

Beats American opponent Manville 3-1 in -65kg event

KARACHI: The 17-year-old Inayatullah grabbed Pakistan's second-ever medal at the Youth Olympics and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games’ first as he defeated US wrestler Carson Taylor Manville 3-1 to grab bronze in the -65kg event in Buenos Aires.

Inayat has been a shining talent for Pakistan as he had earlier won the silver medal at the Asian Juniors' Wrestling Championship cadet category last year.

He outclassed New Zealand's Westerley Pehi Tahi Ainsley in the first round, while he lost to Azerbaijan's Turan Bayramov in his second fight, but then managed to win the bronze.

In his video message he dedicated his medal to other young wrestlers of the country, the nation and the Prime Minister Imran Khan.



This is the second recent achievement by a Pakistani wrestler as earlier Muhammad Inam Butt had won his second back-to-back title at the Beach Wrestling World Championship, and became the first Pakistani to do so.

Meanwhile, Inayat's achievement is also that he became the first Pakistani last year to win a world title; he got that title in the 70kg event last year in Turkey.

The Peshawar-based youngster had told The Express Tribune back then that his goal was to win a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games, while he wants to win an Olympic medal later in his career.

The Youth Olympics only began in 2010, while Pakistan's hockey team managed to win one silver medal in the inaugural edition.



This time Pakistan fielded three athletes namely Inayatullah, Farhan Amjad in weightlifting, and Nubaira Babur in shooting.

"I just want to tell the government and the Pakistan Sports Board that they should open their eyes and see how well the Pakistani wrestlers have been doing internationally," Inam told The Express Tribune when asked about Inayat’s win.

"I'm very proud of Inayat. He has been the most consistent wrestler along with me and Muhammad Bilal. The government and the authorities should at least think of investing in us. It is a huge achievement for Inayat, he has been dedicated to wrestling and he has done brilliantly.

“I hope him dedicating the medal to our Prime Minister would help the government see wrestlers’ achievements. I hope he gets a big welcome and wouldn't go through what I did, even after winning the world title."