Afzal wins gold in youth athletics event

The rookie records 15.44m leap in triple jump contest.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Muhammad Afzal won a gold medal in the triple jump event of the 1st Asian Youth Athletics Championship, courtesy of a 15.44m leap in the event held in Doha, Qatar.

Sri Lanka’s Chamal Kumarasiri finished second and claimed silver with a jump of 15.39m, followed by bronze medallist Sonu Kumar of India, who recorded 15.08m.

“Afzal has made history, as Pakistan have never won the gold in previous youth competitions,” said Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) secretary Muhammad Zafar.

He added that AFP President Major General (retd) Muhammad Akram Sahi has announced a cash prize of Rs100,000 for Afzal on winning the medal.

Muhammad Shahbad also impressed as he qualified for the final of the 200m race by clocking 22.38 seconds. Earlier, he had finished second in the first heat of the 200m race.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2015.

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