ISLAMABAD: Shahzeb Khan, who won the gold medal for Pakistan in the Khyurogi event of the 5th COMBAXX Asian Open Taekwondo Championship, has said that I have always fought in the field for the glory of the name of Pakistan, my country is my identity, and winning the gold medal in the Asian Championship is a reason for me to be proud. It is an honour and I have got a new spirit after this win.

“I had made special preparations for the biggest taekwondo event in Asia. My head coach Master Yusuf Karami from Iran played an important role in my success,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that in the Asian Championship, in the men's -54kg weight category, Shahzeb Khan won the gold medal for Pakistan by defeating Riyad Hamidi of Saudi Arabia.  Naila Ali, the national gold medalist in the freestyle category of the Poomsae event, said that the government and private institutions should encourage the athletes who win medals for Pakistan in international events. If encouraged by them, more excellent results can be achieved in the future. I wish to increase the soft image of Pakistan as a Taekwondo player in the whole world.

Gold medalist Ikhtshamul Haq, who defeated World No. 13 Michael Rodriguez of America in the -87kg final, said that the experience of competing with international players in the event was wonderful. In the future, I will play with the same zeal to win more medals and laurels for my country.

Hamza Saeed, the silver medalist of the +87kg category, said that winning medals in international events is very helpful in the development and promotion of sports in the country. I am grateful to the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation for providing us with all the necessary facilities for the preparation of the championship, which is very helpful for the youth to achieve more success in the future.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 09 2023

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