Pakistan's Shahzaib wins MMA global C'ship

Pakistan's emerging Mixed Martial Arts star, Shahzaib Rind from Balochistan, became a new world champion when he beat Bruno Roberto De Assie from Brazil in the final of Karate Combat Championship (KC-49) on Wednesday in Singapore.

Taking his X (formerly known as Twitter) handle, 26-year-old Shahzaib Rind tweeted, "Dream Came True". He also posted his picture with the championship belt.

He wrote that he was the first martial arts champion from Pakistan, adding "History has been made."

"This was a very tough fight at the start, but I had this hope, as well as all your prayers," tweeted Shahzaib, adding, "I did not accept defeat and fought till the end and became world champion for Pakistan."

In a Instagram post, Rind wrote, "It was a long and challenging journey but we did it."

He lauded the support of his coach, saying he helped him physically, emotionally and through training. "You are not just a coach, a brother and mentor."

Pakistan's High Commissioner to Singapore, Rabia Shafiq, congratulated Rind, praising him for making the nation proud.

In a message on her X account, she expressed hopes for his continued success and urged Pakistanis to support him.

Rind, an MMA fighter had also won the world's premier full-contact striking league Karate Combat in the United States. He is also a six-time national champion.

Rind's aspirations soar even higher. "My ultimate goal is to become a world champion, or at least be on the brink of achieving it." he expressed his desire while speaking to Express Tribune few months ago.