Waseem loses World Championship opener

Pakistan boxer goes down to Zarip in 52kg event in Almaty.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem lost to Turkmenistan’s Jumayev Zarip in his 52kg bout at the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) Men’s World Boxing Championship 2013 in Almaty, Kazakhstan yesterday.

Waseem faced tough competition from Zarip in the match, eventually losing the fight by a close margin of 27-30.

Earlier, Waseem had left for training in Almaty before the rest of the squad, as coach Ali Baksh and boxers Nadir Baloch, Mohib Bacha and Mir Baloch also joined him three days ago.

The Pakistan Boxing Federation Secretary Iqbal Hussain told The Express Tribune that Waseem was one of the best boxers in training and AIBA’s coaches were impressed with his form. Waseem also earned a two-year training scholarship in the US to prepare for the 2016 Olympics.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2013.

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