Pakistan duo clinches gold in ju-jitsu event
The duo defeated Kazakhstan in the final fight to clinch first place.
“We won the same event back in 2009 and it is good to get the gold medal again,” said Huraira. “We are proud of our performance here. But considering we had almost cancelled our participation, it is a big achievement. We financed ourselves just to represent the country at this level and it paid off.”
Pakistan players have had a tough time in preparing for the championship and their participation was almost cancelled due to the Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) delay in issuing a No Objection Certificate. Out of 12 athletes, only four managed to participate in the championship. Among the five athletes, Sundus Islam is the only women to take part from Pakistan and she will be competing in the under-55 kg event tomorrow.
According to coach and PJF official Shabina Saeed, the participation itself was a task as all of these players arranged the airfare for themselves.
“It’s a great achievement considering the circumstances,” Saeed told The Express Tribune. “Had we been able to send 12 of our athletes, we are sure we could have won at least seven or eight gold medals there.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2012.
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Well done guys. Keep it up. Forget about the government. If u r interested then live your dream :D Proud of you :D