Hussain to try his luck again

Pakistan aim to seal Olympics judo berth via event in Japan.

KARACHI: Shah Hussain will make a second attempt to confirm Pakistan’s presence at the 2012 Olympics’ judo event when he tries his luck at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Grand Slam 2011 that starts on December 9 in Tokyo.

According to Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) Secretary Masood Ahmed, 18-year-old Hussain will represent Pakistan in the sub 100-kilogramme event along with a partner who will be named tomorrow.

Last month Hussain had taken part in the World Judo Championship in Cape Town where he lost to a Russian entry in the second round.

“We’re trying to avail every opportunity here and Hussain is our best hope since he’s already in Japan,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “The event will be tougher than Cape Town and participants from 30 other countries will fight for the title. We just need Hussain to qualify for the quarter-finals to book Pakistan’s berth in London.

“He reached the second round last time but has been training harder keeping this event in mind. I’m not expecting a lot from him but Hussain has what it takes to qualify for the Olympics.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2011.