Waseem was one of the five Pakistan pugilists to capture a medal in the event that featured leading amateur boxers of the world.
“It was a tough assignment as the world’s top-ranking boxers were taking part in the event. After winning the gold in the event I have the confidence that I can win medals in both mega events,” Waseem told The Express Tribune.
Besides his latest achievement, Waseem also has a South Asian Games silver medal and bronze medals in the Ahmed Comart, Kings Cup and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International tournaments under his belt.
The 21-year old pugilist said he was training hard for both the CW and the Asian Games but his main target remains glory at the Olympics.
“It’s my dream to win a medal at the Olympics and I am targeting the 2012 London Olympics,” said Waseem.
The Karachi-based player also praised his coaches for helping him out in achieving the feats.
“It was my coach Muhammad Sharif who gave me basic training. Then it was the chief coach Francesco Hernandez Roldan, who really polished my skills.”
‘Joint training camp good but not enough’
Muhammad Waseem has expressed his disappointment on the Pakistan Boxing Federation’s decision to completely rely on a joint-training camp in Islamabad for preparation of the CW and the Asian Games.
“We need training with the world’s top boxers and for that we have to go abroad to take part in international events,” said Waseem while ruing the absence of major teams in the camp.
“So far only Sri Lankan pugilists are attending the camp which is not doing any wonders to us because they are ranked lower than our boxers. It is only they who are benefitting and not us.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2010.
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