Pakistan judo team wins gold medal in Peace and Friendship games

KARACHI: Pakistan’s judokas secured a triumphant gold medal for the nation during the Peace and Friendship games in Iran.

According to the media reports, the victory was achieved through a decisive victory over the host country’s team in a gripping final match.

As per Pakistan Judo Federation sources, the Pakistani team included Sher Khan Kakar (-60kg), Qudratullah (-73kg), Junaid Khan (-81kg), and Haseeb Mustafa (-90kg).

The reports said that the four-member Pakistani team outperformed their Iranian counterparts from Team A, securing a 3-2 victory in the final match and secured the coveted gold medal.

In preceding group matches, Pakistan had emerged victorious against Iran Team B as well as Afghanistan.

It is pertinent to not that judoka Haseeb Mustafa played a big role in Pakistan’s success. He won a personal gold medal in the Kure. However, despite the individual achievement, Pakistan concluded the event as the runner-up, securing a silver medal.

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Meanwhile, on Sunday, Pakistan judo team had clinched another gold medal in the men’s individual category with Syed Muhammad becoming the winner in the 60kg final match.

The reports said that various players claimed silver medals including Jaffer Ali in the 56kg category, Ahsan Ullah in the 65kg category, and Mir Wais in the 75kg category.

Although three Pakistani athletes lost to Iranian rivals in the finals, Mohammad’s outstanding performance helped make up for the defeats with his impressive efforts.

During the competitions, the host nation clinched the top spot, while Pakistan secured the second position, whereas Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Iraq secured the third, fourth, and fifth ranks respectively.

However, notably a four-member delegation will represent Pakistan in the Wushu competitions during the upcoming Asian Games scheduled to take place in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 9.

The squad includes Abdul Khaliq (WAPDA, -60kg), Abdul Rehman (Punjab, -65kg), Miss Samreen (Punjab, -52kg), and Miss Maira (Punjab, -60kg), who secured the silver medals in the 2019 South Asian Games.