Boxer Fatima Zahra confirms Pakistan's first medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025

She qualified for the -60 kg semifinals after defeating Algeria's Hamda Melissa 5-0

KARACHI:

Boxer Fatima Zahra confirmed the first medal for Pakistan at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

She qualified for the -60 kg semifinals on Thursday night as she defeated her Algerian opponent, Hamda Melissa, 5-0 in the quarterfinal bout.

She booked her place among the last four and consequently, confirmed a bronze medal. The medal will be hers even if she loses her next bout.

"Our medal is confirmed, she has been very humble and has represented Pakistan, but now she is really performing better than before, she is in a great form," Pakistan Boxing Federation secretary Major Irfan Younis told The Express Tribune. "She is a very hard-working athlete, and finally her efforts are paying off. She has confirmed the bronze medal with this win.
"We are hoping for great results in the semifinal as well."

She belongs to Sargodha and has been boxing since 2018. She is a Pakistan Army athlete.

She represented Pakistan earlier at the Asian Games and the Olympic qualifiers.

She solidified her place as the top women's boxer to represent the country, as she has been a national champion in her weight class for the last four years.

On Thursday, she dominated her bout and got 10 points from all five judges in the first round compared to Melissa, who fought a good deal but fell short.

The second round was hers as well, with only judge three giving her nine points and Melissa 10, while the rest again gave a verdict in Fatima's favour with 10 points each.

The decision came down to the third round, which Fatima dominated as well, getting 10 points each from all five judges, despite a brave fight put up by Melissa.

Pakistan boxing squad for Islamic Solidarity Games 2025, Fatima is second from left. PHOTO COURTESY: PBF

Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) sent four pugilists, including Maria Rind, who lost in the women's 51 kg quarterfinal after a close fight.

Pakistan's third boxer, the United Kingdom-based Laura Djida Akram, lost her quarterfinal bout in the 67 kg event.

Besides Fatima, Qudratullah is left in the competition.
Qudrat will open his campaign in the 55 kg men's quarterfinal on Saturday, whereas Fatima's semifinal schedule will be announced later.

Coach Nisar Lahori is accompanying them.

The boxers trained in Army facilities for three months.

IT was fascinating to observe that Pakistan sent more women boxers compared to men.

"Pakistani women have more potential to win medals for us than men at this point, when we look at the international standard. Our boys are very talented too, but if we look at the pool, the women can do better," Younis explained.